George Wharton James
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 90
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ... to a rod (m), and are tied to alternate threads of the warp. This heald-rod (m) serves, when pulled forward, to open the shed for the insertion of the shuttle. The upper shed is kept patent by a stout rod which has no healds attached, and called by Matthews the shed-rod (). A small several-toothed wooden fork serves the purpose of the reed in our looms, and is used by the weaver to press in Fio. 127--Diagram showing formation of warp place the weft where it is irregularly woven, or does not go completely across the warp where it can be wedged home with the batten stick. Now let us see the weaver actually at her work. We will assume that all prior processes are completed. The weaver has washed, spun, and dyed the wool, she has decided upon the size of her blanket, and formulated in her active and imaginative brain the design that she intends to materialize. She is now ready, therefore, for the preparing or constructing of the warp. Dr. Matthews thus clearly and graphically describes the process: A frame of four sticks is made, not unlike the frame of the loom, but lying on or near the ground, instead of standing erect. The two sticks forming the sides of the frame are rough saplings or rails; the two forming the top and bottom are smooth, rounded poles--often the poles which afterwards serve as the beams of the loom; these are placed parallel to one another, their distance apart depending on the length of the projected blanket. On these poles the warp is laid in a continuous string. It is first firmly tied to one of the poles, which I call No. i (Fig. 127); then is passed over the other pole. No. 2, brought back under No. 2 and over No. 1, forward again under No. I and over No. 2, and so on to the end. Thus the first, third, fifth, ..