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<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Let me
preface this with the statement that I am nowhere near an expert on
weaving.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>That
being said.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>I own
a yarn shop in Duncanville, just south of Dallas and have tried weaving my own
tartan scarf a long time ago (It was acrylic -EWWW). It was on a rigid heddle
loom, The Easy Weaver. It worked out fairly well, but it was difficult for a
beginner. I learned a lot from the process, as I had a small book with pictures
of the MacDonald tartan, and I had my husband's MacDonald tartan tie. It was
actually easier to copy the weaving on the tie, as it was a simple weave as
well.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>I
strongly urge you to rent, buy or borrow a portable loom to practice on. There
are weaver's guilds outside of the SCA where you can learn more about weaving.
If you are in the DFW area, come by my shop. <A
href="http://www.whirledfibers.com">www.whirledfibers.com</A> or if you are in
the Austin area, check out Hill County Weavers. <A
href="http://www.hillcountryweavers.com">www.hillcountryweavers.com</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>You
can make your own loom. I've saw one in a Navajo weaver's shop that looked like
it was made out of scrap wood. It worked.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Check
Craigslist.com for used looms and also check out <A
href="http://www.ravelry.com">www.ravelry.com</A> for the weavers forums and
also the used equipment forums.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>There
are a lot of differences in looms throughout history and in different cultures.
That would be another area to research to help you in your
quest.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Of
course, one of the reasons that the only DIY looms that you might find on the
internet is due to the possibility of loom failure when it is warped up and put
under stress. The liability from a potential catastrophic loom failure might be
a bit expensive. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Aerin
is an excellent weaver and would be a great place to start to learn.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Good
Luck on your journey and tell us more about the Fields Family Farm.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>In
Service,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Mistress Xene Theriane,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>mka</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Vicki
Marsh</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015215921-20082010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV dir=ltr class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT size=2
face=Tahoma>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
ansteorra-textiles-bounces+vmarsh=twmarsh.net@lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:ansteorra-textiles-bounces+vmarsh=twmarsh.net@lists.ansteorra.org]<B>On
Behalf Of </B>Fields Family Farm<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, August 16, 2010 9:39
AM<BR><B>To:</B> ansteorra-textiles@lists.ansteorra.org<BR><B>Subject:</B>
[Ansteorra-Textiles] Greetings and Questions<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>Greetings
All,<BR><BR>I just joined this list, as I am considering making my own loom
and attempting some weaving. A beginning goal would be to make my own
tartans. An eventual goal might be to demonstrate weaving for Sherwood
Forest Faire.<BR><BR>I'm at least familiar with the basics of weaving.
I've conversed once or twice with Aerin MacConacher (aka Joanna Varner), and
she has agreed to allow me to see her loom, to get details before beginning
building one.<BR><BR>I have searched the internet for links to build-your-own
looms, but the results were disappointing. Almost all DIY instructions
only show very basic looms, for weaving belts or such. I'm hoping to
build a full-width floor loom.<BR><BR>Any advice y'all have would be gladly
received.<BR><BR><BR>Hrethric/Rick<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>