V-Series Dobby Loom User’s Manual
Weaving Instructions
Threading, Sleying, & Tying On
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would be threaded through the eye of the first heddle on the 7th harness,
the third thread through the first on the 6th harness, and so on.
Some weavers mark the center heddle on each harness and thread from
center, out to each side. This allows for leaving an equal number of heddles
at both sides of the harnesses, when threading is completed.
Unused Heddles
After threading is complete, make sure that the unused heddles are all
pushed to the far sides of the harness sticks between the screweyes and the
ends of the harness sticks. For balance, there should be approximately equal
numbered groups of unused heddles on both sides of each harness. In some
cases, such as a very wide warp with a lot of unused heddles on the ends of
the harnesses, you may need to tie each group of unused heddles into a
tight bundle with tie tapes or string to keep them from falling off the ends of
the harness sticks or you may wish to take heddles off the loom altogether.
Note:
In the first six months of using a new loom with polyester heddles, the
heddles may stretch out slightly to adjust to the harnesses.
Sleying The Reed
Now sley the warp ends through the reed. Some weavers start from the
right side; some from the left; some in the middle. But, in all cases, be sure
to measure accurately before starting so that the warp will be centered in
the reed (or offset four inches to the right if the warp on the beam is already
offset). Use the way you prefer to position and stabilize the reed between
the harnesses and the Breast Beam for ease during the sleying process.
Tying On To The Apron
Now that you have your warp ends ready to tie, we need to prepare the
apron. The ends will be tied to the apron rod.
Notice that the apron has two hemmed ends. One end has loops on it and
the other end has a velcro strip. The Cloth Storage Beam also has a velcro
strip. Measure to find the center of the Beam and, using tape, mark the
center above the velcro strip. Find the center on the apron, at the end with
the velcro and fold it in half, with the velcro doubled on itself and facing out.
Match center of your fold to the center of the Beam velcro, with the apron
length hanging to the floor. Press the velcro strips together firmly, while
pulling gently toward each side of the beam, making sure it is centered.
