warp weighted loom and string heddles

[msd1984]

Hi,  I'm really a lurker and hope it's OK to pop in w/questions?  I'm really stuck here and am hoping someone is online and can help.
  I made a warp weighted loom for our church Christmas project.  I bought books, read tons of stuff online, have SOME(read very little) weaving experience and everything I THOUGHT was fine till a bit ago.   I made string heddles for the loom.  Made them on the loom.  Heddle rod against the uprights so I thought the length was OK.  All done and when I tried it out, ALL the warp threads come forward....!   Are the heddles too long?  If so, is there a quick fix?  I spent all day on these and am out of time and what little patience I had left.  Warp is chained and weighted.  I've yet to do a chain spacing on the warp...would that be the problem?  It's like there isn't enough weight on the warp to hold it in place, but I'm using pretty big rocks as weights so....  I used branches with natural forks as supports for the heddle rod....if I make them longer?

Many thanks in advance, Mary <><  

[francorios]

Did you make a continuous string heddle or a bunch of loops?

You have to be sure you only looped every other warp instead of every warp.

Check out the Marla Mallet site for instructions on using string heddle loops
A Simple Frame For Weaving Experiments (!)
http://www.marlamallett.com/loom.htm

Checkout Laverne Waddington's article on backstrap weaving for instructions
on making a continous string heddle, about the middle of the article.
http://weavezine.com/content/backstrap-basics

I hope that helps.
Have a good day!

[msd1984]

Hi,  Thank you, those links do help a lot.  I made continuous heddles.  The loom looks impressive enough for our program, but so far any way, it's not functional.  I'll keep working on it and hope to have it working soon.  I realzed the weights do need to be heavier.  I'd wanted the kids in the groups to be able to use it so didn't make the warp weights too big.  I've learned much...mostly gained a whole new appreciation form modern looms!

Merry Christmas!
Mary <><

[francorios]

If you want to setup weaving for children. Try the notched cardboard loom ideas
from Montessoriworld.org . These projects have a simple set up but can be fabulous! Great ideas for little hands. It even works for grownups!
http://www.montessoriworld.org/Handwork/weave/weaving3.html

Or the paperbasket weaving
http://www.montessoriworld.org/Handwork/weave/weaving2.html

Basic weaving info
http://www.montessoriworld.org/Handwork/weave/weaving1.html

Have a good day!