Project 209-1
Beginning Looming

By Marlynn McNutt

 

 

 

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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

Metal Beading Loom 3006TL – Photo B



Precision Beading Loom 3007TL – Photo C


Larry the Loom 3009TL – Photo D
8” Mirrix Loom 2044TL – Photo E

 

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