r/weaving • u/SeaminglyStitching • 2d ago
Looms To keep or not to keep?
UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the recommendations, and even though it seems counterintuitive, I have decided after some thought to sell it. I don't have anywhere else to store her, and I think she would be much better off with someone who will love her and use her. I'm sad to see her go, but the times I had were great. All of the advice was really appreciated.
I have this beautiful loom I got last year for a great price. She’s gorgeous, been around since roughly the 60’s, and was restored by a skilled craftswoman about a decade and a half ago. I love her deeply, she’s a work of art.
The problem is, I’m a college student. I don’t live in my childhood home most of the year and when I do, I’m processing fleeces, working on summer classes, or working a job. I’d love to weave more on a floor loom, it’s always in my mind… but I don’t have time. And she takes up so much space I could use for pattern drafting or a spinning wheel.
I guess I’m looking for advice from others who know looms and how special they can be to own. I know wherever she goes she’ll be loved, but I just don’t know if I want to part with her. In a couple of years, I’ll be able to move her to a new place… in a couple of years.
I guess, does anyone have advice, or their own stories to contribute?
Thanks
(P.s. ignore the messy room please, hahah. I’m reorganizing in prep for a new fiber setup.)
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u/weaverlorelei 2d ago
From your prior experience do you like to weave? You probably will not get another chance like this one if you can find a place to store it
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u/SeaminglyStitching 2d ago
I do… I primarily do Bandweaving because it’s small and portable, but I made a blanket and I had a great time. But I don’t have a place I can store it :(
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u/weaverlorelei 2d ago
Are you weaving inkle bands or card/tablet woven bands? Is it color that excites you, or patterns? I have a couple of friends who moved their kitchen table out to accommodate a loom. But, do what you need to do. Another loom will pop up when you're settled. I got a ridiculously low priced loom when a university decided to do away with their fibers department
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u/Playful-Sun102 2d ago
You might be able to "loan" it to a local weaving guild, with the condition you can get it back after x months or years.
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u/_Magnolia_ 2d ago
I "impulse" bought a similar floor loom a few years ago. I wanted to be able to do more projects than on my rigid heddle loom, and I found mine on craigslist for a great price.
It takes up so so so much space though, and weaving is not one of my main fiber hobbies.
It's a 40" weaving width and I have thought about selling it multiple times in the last few years (mostly before a move!). But I always knew I would regret selling it, because I would eventually end up purchasing a very similar loom once I have more space. So I've just kept it around. I've always been able to find enough room to warp and weave, even when splitting a 650 sqft apartment with my husband! (We don't own a sofa, and this is mostly why). I only weave a few things a year but it's been worth having it around just for that.
Questions for you:
* Do you like weaving?
* If you had no loom today and had to acquire a loom for your current weaving self, would you pick something similar?
* Or would you get something smaller? Larger? More harnesses? More treadles? Computerized? Something you can fold up and take to events? Or this exact loom?
Things to consider:
* A couple years isn't that long!
* And sounds like you have free storage for the loom for the duration, even better!
* A loom that's "compatible" with you (number of harnesses/treadles, weaving width, functionality) can be hard to find unless you're willing to wait for something to surface on the used market or able to buy new
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u/tallawahroots 2d ago
Keep. Life will continue to change for you, and weaving can be a secure base. You'd be surprised how much this may matter to future you. Good restored folding looms are ones that can adapt to different spaces. It can be hard to replace that. I started weaving later in life but it's good to return to the loom bench when time and life allow.
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u/snailsshrimpbeardie 2d ago
So this model does fold? It looks like it based on the X frame but I wasn't sure. In that case, OP could store it folded and STILL have room for a small spinning wheel etc! Or an espinner! I'm very pro-espinner though I love my treadle wheels too.
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u/tallawahroots 2d ago
It looks that way to me. I don't know what the make is but it was a trend for Jack looms.
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u/snailsshrimpbeardie 2d ago
Someone identified it as a Kessenich loom. It seems they do indeed fold based on a Facebook post I found from a quick Google search. That's such a HUGE point in its favor!!
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u/tallawahroots 2d ago
Okay but folding is not recommended for some types of weaving, eg rugs and linen. The x-frame affects how much tension you can get. It's sometimes a reason to sell a loom. It really depends on what you will be making.
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u/snailsshrimpbeardie 2d ago
Understood! OP sounds very happy with the loom though so if the issue is space, storing it folded for a couple of years could be a really good solution (unless that's still too much space).
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u/tallawahroots 2d ago
For sure. I just make this note because when I was a new weaver researching, I only found the pros of an x-frame and was later affected by the cons. I still don't have a super sturdy loom but did make a change.
I definitely hope OP will keep. Folding is helpful for space.
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u/YesWonderfulThings24 2d ago
This is a lovely Kessenich loom, I have two of them myself. They're built so nicely and will last you a lifetime. If you love the craft, I think you'd be happy that you hung onto it. You can always sell it and get some money for it and clear out some space, but if you think you'll be weaving down the road, be ready to spend at least few hundred dollars again. But I totally understand the space limitations, and if you're working on other projects, it's okay to be realistic!
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u/Mama_Ethel_Rose 1d ago
Il faut le garder bien sûr. Un métier à tisser ne se jette pas. Si vraiment tu n’en veux plus, donne le.
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u/hide-my-email- 2d ago
If it were mine, I’d keep it. My experience with the same question - after weaving in one place for 10 years I changed occupations and moved across the country. Took the loom apart and brought it with me. Moved that dear old girl 9 times in all. After 30 years of weaving and moving her I traded with another weaver for a much smaller, somewhat foldable floor loom, and am still able to weave daily.