To Build The Loom You will Need:
1 10' (300 cm) length 3/4" PVC Pipe
cut as follows:
2 24" (60 cm) pieces
2 12" (30cm) pieces
1 11.5" (28.5 cm) piece
4 8" (20 cm) pieces
2 2" (5cm) pieces
Pipe Fittings:
4 3/4" 90 degree elbows
4 2/4" Ts
2 1" x 1" x 3/4" Ts
1 12" (30cm) piece of 3/4 " wooden dowel
2 2' (60cm) strong utility (aka camping/ sleeping bag) straps with easy to use buckles
Some Tape
(note that the drawing above does not include elbows on the feet, but the photo below does, if you were wondering what the other two 90 degree elbows are used for)
which is the thing I really wanted to talk about,
I didn't get as far as I would have liked --
at least not far enough to put the instructions here.
I've attached a few photos for the ambitious though,
because who could resist?
My favorite things about this loom are: - extreme portability - super easy assembly (friction fit parts and easy-to-cut pipe) - super low cost - simple and lightweight tension mechanism (that it HAS a tension mechanism, which many frame looms do not) -the fact that no matter what you weave, your work will look better than your loom |
a simple tensioned frame loom
without a shedding device.
Sadly, I really didn't provide enough information to work with.
But if you want to try anyway, read on
because....
Kids Weaving has plans and straightforward instructions
for building, warping and using a PVC loom.
The version in the book uses a little more pipe
because it includes a shedding mechanism
but it'll work perfectly well for tapestry
as well as for scarves and blanket strips
and bags and shoe laces and a dog collar and....
STC Craft/ Melanie Falick Books are invariably glorious. Lena Corwin, my amazing illustrator, continues to do remarkable things. | Sadly, the book is currently out of print BUT there are over 12,000 copies floating around so check your library or local used book store. PLUS it is scheduled to be re-issued in the spring of 2017 HURRAH!! |
or maybe not so secretly,
for makers of all ages--
pipe looms
an integral part of my
secret plan for weavers
to take over the universe,
bringing peace and joy
and fabric to all.