Inkle loom weaving

        

Rigid heddle weaving

Backstrap Weaving where the weaver uses a  a rigid heddle is another method of weaving narrow wares.  The warp is threaded into the heddle and spread by attaching one end with a hook at the wall and the other end at the weavers belt. The tension is managed by the weavers body. The sheds are made by moving the heddle up and down. The result is a warp faced rep, that means plain weave, but the weft is pulled strongly, so that it disappears under the warp yarns, which are producing the design.

This is a picture of a rigid heddle.




This is a diagram explaining a backstrap loom with a rigid heddle.


This image shows a backstrap loom in use. Typically these were traditionally used in much of South America.

Rigid heddles are also used in the Baltic Area. Here many of the traditional designs are handed down from one generation to another. The special designs from this area depend on the arrangement of the warp containing thin basic yarns, and thicker pattern threads of contrasting colours.

To make pick-ups, the weaver lifts the pattern threads required to make the design with the tip of the shuttle, allowing all other threads to drop below.The weft is the passed through the shed or opening.

This picture is taken from www.historicweaving.com and is a good example of a band

woven with pick ups made using red wool.


Woven bands with traditional designs of the Baltic Sea area.