Floating selvedges

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Mary Godfrey

almost 4 years ago

Hi everyone.
I use floating selvedges on my Louet Megado Dobby loom for most projects and always find that the selvedge on the right side (facing the loom) often breaks 3 or 4 times in the process of weaving a scarf. Whereas the one of the left side rarely, if ever, breaks. This happens whatever thread I'm using - wool, silk, tencel.
As I am very awake to this problem I am conscious not to pull on the weft when going from right to left. The weft thread unspools smoothly from the shuttle, and it feels the same as when passing the shuttle from left to right, so I don't think this is causing the problem. The floating selvedge thread doesn't 'break' as such, it just becomes thinner and separates where the thread meets the woven cloth. I am using Ashford weighted bobbins specially designed for floating selvedges with only 2 weights on each.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any ideas about how to solve it? Many thanks Mary

Alon Ophir

almost 4 years ago

Hello Mary
It happens to me on a table loom from time to time....
I recentered the reed one dent to left or right to even the rubbing on the thread...
hope it meks sense.
Alon

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Mary Godfrey

almost 4 years ago

Hi Alon
Thats interesting. I always take care to centre the reed (70cm wide). However, your comment made me question how I do this. I use the shafts as a reference to centre the reed, but my warp on on the beam isn't always exactly centred to match. Maybe that's why the thread is breaking on the right and not on the left. I will check this out on my next warp.

Many thanks
Mary

Alon Ophir

almost 4 years ago

Hello Mary
I'm so glad I could help in some way...
I measured the bitter and my reeds and marked their center with a pencil. And still' it sometimes break (on the right- not on the left) but much less.
I would also suggest to keep a good eye on how you hold the beater and how you beat the weft - maybe there is some lack of balance there that rubbs the thread diferently..
Thats it... :-)
Happy weaving
Alon

Terri R Rostad

almost 4 years ago

I would try to add selvage threads to the warp count and not have them weighted. Also, in a draft I have from Jason Collingwood, he suggests threading one selvage thread on 1 and the other selvage thread on 2. So, when a tabby is used they will always be caught at some point.

1 Like

Mary Godfrey

almost 4 years ago

Hi Terri

Thanks for responding to my question.

I will try your suggestion to add the selvedge threads into the warp count (but still leave them 'floating' i.e. not through a heddle.

The suggestion about threading one side on 1 and the other on 2 is interesting but surely that would happen naturally in a draft for tabby? i.e. 1,2,1,2,1,2 etc. Even if the draft was on 4 shafts (1,2,3,4, etc.,) but weaving tabby.

Terri R Rostad

almost 4 years ago

Jason Collingwood's comment was on a block weave rug design. I am checking it out also.

Wendy Koehler

almost 4 years ago

I have the same issue. The reed is centered, my draw in is less than 1/4" and the same on both sides. I am being very conscious of not pulling or stressing that thread any more than the left side. In other words, doing everything I can think of to protect that selvedge thread, but it still breaks with an irritating regularity. All ideas welcome!

1 Like

Jane Howe

8 months ago

I have added floating selvedges weighted off the back of the loom on a turned twill pattern but they are not floating in the middle of the shed. They are almost to the top of the other warp threads. I am weaving in 2/16 bamboo. Is there anything I can do?

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Katherine Q

8 months ago

Hello Jane - unfortunately I do not know how to solve that problem, but if you want to improve your chances of getting a response, you need to enter your post as a new comment, rather than as a reply, so that the thread will go to the top of the list. Otherwise, it will stay further down and may not be notices by someone who could help you! This post now should do the trick this time round anyway. :-)