Hi Julia, hopefully someone can join the discussion - I've rarely woven and never tied up a Spring loom. However, when I was looking at replacing my old Leclerc loom with something that was easier on my knees (while I waited for a double knee replacement), Jane suggested the David loom would be easier for me when I did the tie-ups. BTW - I'm also 5'4" and shrinking 😉 I've had my David 14 years now and still love weaving on it. The result of my knee surgery was wonderful except for the fact that I have difficulty staying on my knees for any length of time. However, my David is also light and I can tip him over slowly until his back beam is securely resting on a sturdy chair and being supported while I do my tie-ups.

I've woven with just about every fibre over the years, including JST's 40/2, without my David objecting to the yarn I had dressed him in. He is currently helping my daughter-in-law who is learning to weave and they are getting along fine. I've never had any difficulty treadling my David - even prior to my knee surgery. Both looms will be able to do any of the structures that are being taught in the School of Weaving where almost everything is woven on a Spring or a David loom - including doubleweave.

Maybe someone who actually owns both can give you the pros and cons of both looms so you have more information to help you decide which loom is best for you. You'll find Spring loom weavers who can't imagine weaving on a different loom and the same goes for David loom weavers. The right loom for what you need will be the perfect loom for you. Keep a check list going while you're exploring!

Hello Sandra
Is there any chance that the weaving school could create an instructional video focusing on the actual technique of treadling on a Louet floor loom. I would love to see some ‘foot level’ video ( or should I say ‘footage’ ? . :- ) to show how and where feet should be positioned on the treadles, how moving from one treadle to another is managed, how and when one treadle is pressed down or released up in coordination with the pressing down or release of the next treadle ( e.g. is this done simultaneously, or is one treadle fully released before you start pressing down the next one, or is one going down as the other is coming up?). Should some pressure be kept on the rising treadle right up until it contacts the bar at the back of the loom, or can it be ‘let go’ so that it goes up on its own, due to springs in the castle etc. I have never used a treadle loom before and can’t find any videos showing this core technique! One thing I really like about Jane’s videos is how clearly she explains and demonstrates key techniques such as threading, sleying etc. so it would be greatly appreciated if something could be done on treadling, showing each aspect I have mentioned and any others that would be helpful. Thanks very much and I look forward to hearing what you think!