I'm trying to figure out how long to weave twill towels to get a length of 28" using 8/2 cotton and 20 epi. In the Two-Stripe Towels project, you list 14" in the reed, 8/2 cotton at 20 epi, and an 11" finished width. I estimated that to be approximately 9% take-up (1.25") and 12% shrinkage (1.75") in the width. If I use the same percentages for the length, I would need to include approximately 2.5" of take-up and 3.25" of shrinkage in my warp length calculations for each towel (or 33.75" for each towel).
So my question is how long do I weave my towels to get to 28" finished length? Do I weave the towels 33.75" (including BOTH take-up and shrinkage) or do I weave the towels 31.25" (including ONLY the shrinking) and assume the take-up will be accounted for automatically on the loom as I weave (as it does for the width)?
You mention in Season 1's "Warp Planning 101" video that take-up occurs as the warp and weft interlace with each other, so while I know I need to account for take-up in my total warp length calculation, I'm not sure if I need to consider when actually weaving my towels on the loom.
Thank you!!
The one thing that Jane stresses is that she always allows some extra length in her warps, so she never runs out. That way you'll have warp left to play around with when you have cut your project off your loom. Your total warp length depends on your structure, how hard you beat your cloth, etc. - in time, you get to know what works for you. With the Two-Stripe Towel project - you are moving into Twill which can pack more tightly than Plain Weave. You also have to allow for your hems when you are calculating your length for each towel as well as whether or now you are going to weave all your tea towels before cutting any off. There are so many factors come into play - use the information and the tools in the Warp Planning 101. Once you know you will have enough warp to weave your project - just relax and enjoy the journey.