Time Saving Inventions
Engineering for fun and profit
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Humans began making thread long ago. Over time, with successive innovations, the process became more complicated and also less laborious. All you need to make textiles is fingers, but humans love tools.1 We make them and we use them to make more tools. Up to a point, the tools are beneficial to the maker, easing eye or hand strain.2
From spindles, to yarn winders, walking wheels, treadle wheels, and e-spinners, I have seen the casual spinning community adapt the hobby/art practice to many different methods. Woodworkers have tackled the construction of Textile Tools with modern solutions with ball bearings and other products of the Industrial Age which can make a modern spinning wheel more efficient and fun to use.
But, what happens when the whistles and bells on the tools interfere with the original purpose? I once owned a loom that was built with an interesting beater system. Instead of a cantilever pair of uprights holding the reed, it rolled forward on a pair of bearing. Efficient? Yes. Tiring? Also, yes. The beater did not swing back into place like the over head beater on my Swedish loom, not did gravity help like it does on the underslung beaters found on modern floor looms.
The Great Wheel in this photo was made in 1999. It looks olde-timey but has some very modern features including sealed ball bearings and complicated tension system. It is fun to use, but the broad spindle only holds a small amount of yarn before the bundle slides off with every draft of the wool.
Both of these tools were built by hobbyist woodworkers, possibly for someone who was looking for a specific solution. I have no idea how many looms and wheels were made in this style, I have not seen evidence of anything like. them.
My newest acquisition is one of the original electric spinning wheels, a mechanical wonder that is proving to be tricky to calibrate. Maybe this is why I tend to gravitate to my hand-spindles, they do not need much maintenance and they are a pleasure to use. Nevertheless, I still have WAY too many wheels.
HOW MANY TOOLS DO YOU NEED?
A few weeks ago, as I was preparing for my residency, I considered being minimalistic, focused on making cordage with indigenous plants and hemp or linen. I was also looking forward to having space for laying out all the unfinished projects so that they could be mounted and embellished for display in an Art Show at the end of the summer.
The room seemed to swallow up the first carload of equipment: my tool tote, a basket of yarn, and two suitcases full of unfinished fabric. Aided by ever Patient Spouse, I returned with three tapestry looms, two table looms, and a rigid heddle loom.3
Now it seems a little cozier and welcoming. All the yarn and fabric help soften the echoes and invite visitors to touch things. I have had a lot of well-wishers stop by, as well as curious nature lovers who ask great questions and often linger at one of the community looms or the drawing table.
FIBER FROLIC
I hosted the Dallas hand Weavers and Spinners Guild in my studio on Friday, June 27th. Folks brought along what they were working on (as well as potluck contributions). Folks brought wheels, spindles, e-spinners, embroidery projects, crochet, knitting, plus inkle and frame looms. The studio was buzzing with conversation and many busy hands. We had a short show-and-tell after lunch. I am always in awe of the skill concentrated in this group of people.
JULY SCHEDULE
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center will be closed for Independence Day. Next week, they will be installing accessible sidewalks from the parking lot to the ramps, which will be great! But, it means they will be closed to the public July 9-12th. Sadly, my studio will also be closed. Thankfully, I have plenty to work in at in my home studio.
I had planned to teach a workshop in July, but it has been postponed until August (date TBD) to give my wrist some time to heal.
Happy Fourth of July to those who celebrate!
If you haven’t already, you should read Ursula K le Guin’s essay on carrier bags.
Living with a broken wrist has made me rethink a lot of things. not only does my left hand hurt my right hand is over-taxed. I can spin one-handed on a treadle wheel, but the spindles have all been idle. I am thankful my household is not relying on my spinning to have all the fabric we need.
I am hoping to sell my Kromski Harp Rigid Heddle Loom by the end of summer. It comes with a stand and five heddles. Let me know if you are interested.