Uncategorized
Ask Elena: Which kit to save warp?
I have the Big Sister loom and would like to make some bracelets however, when warped I see a lot of warp that goes wasted. Since I can’t get smaller loom right now which would you recommend I get the” No Warps kit “or the” Extra Warp kit” so that I don’t end up with so much leftover warp?
Thank you,
Vanita
Vanita-
Thanks for your question! Both the Extra Warping Bar Kit and the No Warp-Ends Kit allow you to warp in an alternative way and will save you warp, but ultimately they have different functions. Remember, too, that with continuous warp you can weave more than one bracelet on one warp. Just “advance” your weaving and make sure to leave some space between the bracelets for finishing.
The Extra Warping Bar Kit was designed for two reasons. First, to eliminate warp waste by eliminating warp on the back of the loom and second to give you more room to bring your hands behind your warp. You can see a video of how to warp the Extra Warping Bar Kit here. If your goal is simply to save warp, this is the kit I’d recommend.
Extra Warping Bar Kit: The red line is where the warp is with the kit on. You can see how this extra bar saved warp on the back of the loom and allows more room for your hands behind the warp.
No Warp-Ends Kit was made to eliminate having to finish warp ends on beaded pieces. It also saves warp, as you warp your piece exactly the size that you want your piece to be. Instead of having threads left at the ends of a beaded piece, with this kit you just have little loops that don’t need any more finishing. The No Warp-Ends Kit now comes with S-hooks instead of the paper clips that are shown in this picture. You can read a little more about how to use this kit here. It is great for people making beaded pieces who don’t want to have to finish off their ends, the saving of warp is just an extra bonus!
The No Warp-Ends Kit where the piece is warped on the front of the loom to exactly the length of the piece. This means less finishing for bead pieces!
Hope that clarifies the differences between the two kits some!
Elena
About Author
6 Comments
Lois Fernandez
I would like to use wire warp and create a 3 dimensional box shape weaving beads as weft in a pattern. What loom do you recommend and should I do the No Warp Ends kit? Also, can you recommend a type of wire and weight to use for the warp? Thank you, Lois
mirrixlooms
What size will the boxes be? I think I would recommend the No Warp-Ends Kit to deal with the ends. As for wire, I would check out some different Softflex wires. If you talk to someone there, they may be able to recommend a thicker wire that would work best for what you want to do. Sounds like a great project!
Veronica E Raj
Does the second picture show both in use?
Sorry for the lack of technical terms, but I see the thin metal bars that change the length in addition to the paperclips.
So does the no warp ends kit come with both the extra warping bar kit and the s-hooks?
Sorry, I guess I’m just not really understanding all of what I’m seeing.
mirrixlooms
The second picture shows just the No Warp-Ends Kit. The kit now comes with s-hooks instead of paper clips and it comes with two thin bars, not a warping bar.
Veronica E Raj
Also, sorry for having a thousand questions, but what does the bottom spring kit provide that I might need? What additional function does it serve?
I’m not sure if I need to buy (ie. ask for) the Loom + Bottom Sping Kit Starter Package OR the Loom & No Warp Ends Kit Package.
If I plan on doing both tapestries and bead projects on it, would both be beneficial to have? Is the spring kit better for tapestries where the no warp kit is better for bracelets etc?
(I’ve already decided on the loom, the Big Sister, as you recommended to me earlier.)
mirrixlooms
The No Warp-Ends Kit is for bead weaving. The Extra Warping Bar Kit can be used for both and is usually used for saving warp.