Heddle hassle

As part of the loom cleaning I have to remove the heddles from the heddle frame (where they are strung on heddle bars) - I'm probably making some of that up, but it could be a good joke - 'two heddles walked into a bar...'

Heddles on the three cleaned frames

The process started with removing all the heddles from frame number one, and that's where the fun started.  I was being VERY careful to keep them nicely aligned as I took them off but twice, with a handful of heddles the almost predictable happened - they popped out of my hand and mixed gloriously all over the table.  So I spent some time lining them up, and discovered quite quickly that they can actually fit together in a number of ways - most of which AREN'T neatly arranged.  Each heddle has a bend at one end and straight on the other, has an eye that can fit two ways, and has a 'kinked' and a flat end.  All this is designed to keep them evenly spaced and ensure they neatly align the warp yarn that will eventually pass through the eyes when dressing the loom prior to weaving.  Needless to say my dropsy meant that I spent nearly an hour turning and sorting.

Finally sorted (I think)

With the first lot off the frame - I clean it all up, and then slip the heddles from the next frame straight onto the clean bars and then reassemble - simple :-)  Some of the heddles have some surface corrosion, but with careful ONE AT A TIME handling I can give them a quick clean before sliding them on with the rest.

Dyed in the wool

You learn by experimentation and by your mistakes.  We are dyed in the wool experimenters, and the output of this weekend was dyed wool, so by definition...

As mentioned - the plan for CF project #1 is a three tone scarf - two shades of blue (from indigo) and then the natural white/cream.  The indigo dye pot has been ready for about a week so with some well soaked wool samples, yesterday we tried the first experiments.

Coppery sheen (colour not really captured)

Test sample of CF about to go into dyepot

The 'hold it under the surface for 5 minute' process

 

Top to bottom: locks, batt, CF, merino blend

The lessons learned were:  don't agitate the wool too much (we have semi felted locks and batt - movement and 100 degree mixture (alkaline) do the trick nicely), and wool types pick up different amounts of dye.  In this case the CF was better than the merino blend.  Both though are only a medium blue and far from the deep indigo colour that can be obtained.  One check for possible reason - it is likely the mixture is too alkaline, something we can remedy by adding more of the mixture minus the washing soda.  For the moment though the mix will be allowed to cool down and we will bring it back up to temp when back from Tennessee after next weekend.  Bottom line - the final colour would do for the 'mid blue' - but does carry the distinct 'indigo mix smell' so will have to experiment with washing mixes when doing the rinse to lessen that.

Final colour - CF, merino blend

Cleaning

I've been working on the loom - cleaning and killing little bits of rust on some of the metal.  The needed parts have been ordered - they should arrive sometime this week, and the reed in a couple of weeks.  All up the parts cost $300, so with the $100 spent it is turning out to be a very cheap loom.

The work today was to remove the heddle frames and begin to clean and kill the rust.

Typical spots of rust

After sanding and 'Rust Reformer'

Paint dry (turns black) ready for painting sometime down track.

I've also cleaned up the heddle holding bars and they will get a coat of CRC to allow the heddles to slide freely.

Heddles (top left), heddle bars, and frame all ready to go back together.

While doing the frames I have been cleaning up the wood - mostly just needs a wipe down, light sand then a coat of Howard Feed-n-Wax.

Treadles - left original, right finished

The final job today was to clean the chains that connect the jacks to the heddle frames.  A quick soak in vinegar and a scrub, then dried in the oven, and they are good as new (photo's once I have all the heddle frames restored and hanging.

Future Looming

Another step for the CF#1 project.  I was going to have to hire a loom (with at least 8 heddles) to complete the required block twill woven scarves.  However, in what can only be described as a whole raft of coincidences I now have a Macomber 56# 8H loom all of my own.

To cut the lengthy story back:  The loom was noticed on Craig's list by someone from the Guild.  I sent an email off, but missed out, but was pleasantly surprised to see it advertised on the Guild mailing list by a member who had actually gone to the trouble to get it, to then re-offer it to guild members - still at the original 'free to be taken away' price!

With a bit of logistical work, disassembling, hired vans, muscle power, and schedule juggling, I was able to move the loom from Silver Spring to my apartment where it is now set up in my spare room ready for some serious cleaning.

Front view

Quarter view

The loom is missing the reeds (very easily ordered from many suppliers), a heel/foot bar - fits into that funny pronged black bracket in the second photo bottom right, and one small fitting to hold the beater frame.  There was a very good series of postings to a weaving blog about the restoration of a similar loom which have given me most of the tips I will need to get this loom back up and running.

By the time I order and receive the parts, finish the cleaning and re-fitting, I'll have all the wool spun and dyed, so it is looking good to have the project done by Christmas.