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Creating
beaded designs with a loom is easy and fun. Here are some tips to get you
started.
The two smaller looms pictured are ideal for beginners. They are very
popular with scout troops and individual beaders as well as being ideal
for classes.
Larry the Loom is a fully adjustable loom that can be positioned in many
different ways, from sitting upright to laying flat.
The Mirrix loom is an upright loom that sits on a table or easel. This
loom is capable of not only bead looming, but also tapestry weaving with
yard and thread.
What is warp?
Warping is setting up the threads that you will loom on. They are placed
in the individual grooves in the wood or spaces in the spring. These grooves
are designed to space the thread evenly to fit the size of bead you are
using.
To start your loom piece you will need to attach your needle and thread
to the warp threads on your loom, leaving a long tail which you will weave
in later. The looming thread and needle are tied to the outside warp threads.
The next step is to pick up beads on your needle according to the pattern
you are using. Always follow your pattern from the same direction on each
row, either right to left or left to right. You will move all of the beads
to the end of the thread where it is attached to the warp. Place a finger
under the beads and press them up between the warp threads. Holding them
in place, pass the needle back through the beads, being careful to keep
the needle above the warp. This way your beads are locked in place.
When you have finished your piece, you will weave the thread end back
and forth over and under the warp threads for about 1/4”. This will
finish your ends. You will now go back and re-thread your needle and do
the same thing on the other end with the tail that you left at the beginning.
Clip the threads in the center, leaving the thread on each end of your
work. This can be trimmed to the proper length later.
No matter which projects appeal to you the most, from simple bracelets
and hatbands to the more involved tapestries and wall hangings, the whole
idea of the loom is to have fun. There is no end to the projects you can
create. There are a wide variety of patterns and books for you to choose
from.
Plastic
Beading Loom 3005TL – Photo A
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Metal
Beading Loom 3006TL – Photo B
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Precision
Beading Loom 3007TL – Photo C
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Larry
the Loom 3009TL – Photo D
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8”
Mirrix Loom 2044TL – Photo E
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