Buying a loom is such a huge decision. Many weavers start out using a smaller loom but find over time that they would like to upgrade to something larger. Today’s Ask Kelly question asks whether purchasing a larger loom is worth it.
” My ultimate goal in learning to weave is to make my own fabric so I can sew clothes for myself and others. Would getting the 48″ rigid heddle loom be worth the money? I currently have the 32″. Just would like your thoughts.”
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
It’s a personal choice but there are 3 main things I would be considering before making a decision:
1. Does your budget allow for the purchase?
2. Do you have space for a larger loom (you would definitely want the stand with it).
3. Is it going to be ok for you physically to weave on? The extra width is difficult for weavers who have neck, shoulder or back issues.
Also consider that fabric for clothing can be utilised in many different ways and styles, you are not limited if you only have narrower panels of fabric. I recommend that you check out Sarah Howard’s sewing patterns for weavers. Sarah often weaves on a small to middle sized loom herself and once you see her designs I’m sure you will agree she is at no disadvantage for having smaller pieces of fabric!
You will find that many of my own pattern designs or projects from my online weaving classes are not constructed on big looms either.
I have some more comprehensive articles that may also help you to decide whether a larger loom is a good decision for you:
What can I weave on a small loom?…
And I just want to add one more thing before I go. Be careful to not develop loom envy by comparing yourself to others.
Perhaps you bought a smaller or medium sized loom to begin with and you were totally happy with it. But then you saw other weavers raving about their larger looms and how much better they are.
As I already pointed out to Cindy, whether to upgrade to a larger loom is a very personal decision and should not be influenced by feelings of inadequacy. In the multi shaft weaving world, “shaft envy” is very real. You think you will be happy with 4 shafts but then you want 8. You get the 8 shafts but then you want 16. And on, and on.
And while sometimes a loom upgrade is absolutely the perfect decision, no one should be made to feel that their current loom is not good enough.
We weavers are all different and we don’t have to fit the same mould. So, in a nutshell, you do you!
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
Years ago I bought a large width floor loom with more than four harnesses. In the end, I was overwhelmed and feeling that there was not adequate space to function in the space. I sold the loom and now work with narrower floor looms with two and four harnesses. I also have a 15″ RHL, which is versatile and simple. But even with the RHL, one can weave complicated, if you choose to go there. Kelly’s classes are proof of advanced weaving techniques with RHL.
I’m glad you found looms that suit your situation best, that is great š
Less than a month after finding a rigid heddle loom at a thrift store (mega bargain) and joining the local weaving guild, I began looking into floor looms. After warping only three projects! There are good buys available on used floor looms. Yet after a serious talk with myself, I have decided to weave on and enjoy this RHL for at least a year before considering going larger and more complicated. Kelly’s classes are giving me a deeper appreciation of the RHL’s versatility. After exploring and weaving many more projects – each is a lesson – then I may revisit the subject. Weavers in the guild do marvelous work on their floor looms, but so do those with little looms. And many of the floor loom weavers own several looms, some with multiple floor looms. So the envy Kelly refers to seems alive and well. I’m striving to stick to the KISS approach (Keep it simply simple).
That sounds very sensible Beth – you will definitely know in a year whether you want to pursue floor loom weaving š