Tags
inkle band, inkle loom, leather lacing, nylon yarn, samples, warp
My weaving study group teacher is always saying SAMPLE, SAMPLE, SAMPLE. It makes complete sense to sample. Mistakes and discoveries about yarn type, color, etc. can be made before delving into the final project and save a lot of time and money.
How do you sample inkle weaving. Heck, compared to a floor loom warp inkle loom warps are sample size. Even though I’m planning a narrow band, only 19 warp ends, warped at the shortest length it still uses 19 yards of my limited quantity and expensive warp material. I’m sampling leather. $$$ You get the picture.
Here’s what I came up with:
I cut 19 ten inch lengths of the leather. Then, I cut 19 pieces of an inexpensive nylon yarn (it was the first thing I grabbed) and tied each to one end of each leather piece. The nylon pieces were long enough to tie to the front peg of the loom. At the other end of the leather, I tied it to the nylon yarn without cutting it from the spool.
Nylon tied to both ends to make one long warp end.
Then, I wound that warp end onto the loom, cutting it from the spool when I got back to the beginning; tying it off.
Warp ends individually tied to the front warp peg.
Top of warp ends tied to the nylon yarn.
Top of leather/ nylon warp heddled and unheddled.
Side view of leather/ nylon warp threads.
Usually, I don’t tie-off each warp thread individually, but it worked well here. I have woven and taken out three different weft materials so far. The leather has a memory, so the weaving leaves it a bit wavy. I’d hate to do that if it were a real warp.
I do have a lovely mini-loom that I use for sampling when the material isn’t so precious. I’m curious to know what other people do to sample inkle weaving.
warp, weave, be happy! ~ Jenifer
inkled pink 
I’ve never actually sampled my inkle weaving before. Somehow, it never occurred to me. On the other hand, I generally use the little skeins of embroidery floss to inkle, and they’re inexpensive enough that I wouldn’t lose much!
True, material cost has never been the issue before. I use embroidery and cotton crochet yarn mostly.
I too use cotton crochet thread for the bulk of my weaving. I did some silk bands but they were a plain weave so I assumed they would work out, but colour wise they left a lot to be desired. I am definitely going to try this! LEATHER! Coooooool. can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Thanks for the great idea!
I’ve had a few bands that I wove and realized after the colors didn’t work together. Colors that stood out next to each other on the cone or skein blended together when woven, for example. Sampling would have saved the band.
I can’t wait to see how the leather turns out.
Me either!
Please provide information as to the final results of weaving with leather. I’m very interested in knowing the outcome. Thanks!
Hi, Tressie. It was an interesting experiment, that I wasn’t completely happy with. The band was too stiff. If I do it again, I will probably mix the leather with another warp fiber. Or I may try different weft yarns. But, it was fun to sample!