Weaving without a Loom

By Sarita R. Rainey

The off-loom approach to weaving offers distinct advantages. Unrestricted by the painstaking procedures and complicated equipment of conventional loom weaving, the artist is free to experiment. In addition to being accessible, inexpensive, simple, and portable, this approach enables ease of construction, spontaneity, and flexibility of design and structure. Basic methods and uncomplicated equipment can be used in elementary projects and more complex constructions. They can be used to create functional items or purely expressive artworks.

In addition to fundamental tools, Weaving without a Loom explores a variety of everyday items that can be used for textile construction. Materials take on a new role with unconventional combinations of fiber with metal, paper, wood, wire, nylon, plastic, and rope. Specifically, this book aims to minimize weaving terminology as it explains warp and weft usage; offers weaving variations; expands perception; develops a creative approach with methods and materials; and provides weaving examples for inspiration at all age levels.

What Is Weaving without a Loom?

Weaving, simply defined, is the interlacing of threads at right angles to each other. The warp threads are the vertical threads that make the structural “skeleton” for weaving. The weft threads are the horizontal fibers woven through the warp. Warp and weft control the design. The design of the weaving is determined by color, texture, space, line, shape, and rhythm.

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