Hand Looms Supplements

The Hand Looms Supplements use the same format as the quarterly newsletter. These annual publications focus on hand looms, both antique and modern. Such noted authorities on looms as Janet Meany, the editor of The Weavers Friend, and the late Bill Ralph are among the contributors.Click here for Order Form.

Supplement #10 - June 2007

The tenth annual Hand Looms Supplement features a scale drawing of a late 18th-century loom and a 20th-century table loom. How to adapt a loom for 3-shaft weaving is presented, as well as how a special "diaper" harness to weave satin was constructed.

A Scale Drawing for a Late 18th-Century Pennsylvania Loom
by Marjie Thompson

For many years Marjie Thompson has been studying and, when possible, acquiring manuscripts of old weaving drafts. She was pleasantly surprised when she discovered a diagram for a loom within one of these old manuscripts. She presents what she knows about the weaver, Abraham Oberholtzer, who wrote the manuscript.

Scale drawing of loom
Collection of Marjie Thompson

Rediscovering Roger Lawrence's Looms
by Sue Jones

Although Sue Jones was aware that her father, Roger Lawrence, was building looms, she is always delighted when she discovers a new one. When her good friend Patricia Morton acquired one, Sue decided it was time to document these well-built table looms.

Loom built by Roger Lawrence
Collection of Patricia Morton

Three-Shaft Weavingby Janet Meany

Janet Meany concludes our study of 3-shaft textiles and looms with a survey of the literature, especially Scandinavian, on the subject. She includes instructions from Norma Smayda on how to adapt a regular 20th-century loom for 3-shaft weaving.

Direct tie-up for the triangle 3-shaft/3-treadle pulley system

A Reconstruction of John Murphy's "Diaper" Harness
by Patricial Hilts

After studying the diagrams and instructions for many years, Patricia Hilts decided to try her hand at constructing a "diaper" harness as described by John Murphy in his 1824 book, A Treatise on the Art of Weaving. She explains how she built it and how it works.

Figure 1. Murphy's diagram of the diaper harness: side view

Figure 2. Murphy's diagram of the diaper harness: end view