My name is Christina Petty, and I'm a PhD candidate at the University of Manchester. As part of my research, I'm looking for other people who use warp weighted looms, partly to see what we as a community have learned about using these tools, and partly to learn why we are taking on such an old technology. To this end, I've developed this questionnaire to start my exploration.
Because I'm a medievalist, not a computer programmer, I'm only able to post the questionnaire, not make a downloadable file. Please copy and paste, then send the completed form to fiberhistorian1@yahoo.com or cpetty_us@yahoo.com. Then send the url of the questionnaires to other weavers you may know. Thank you so much for helping with this, so I can finish my PhD!
(The next bit is the questionnaire with the original header)
This questionnaire is part of my PhD research into warp weighted looms, how they were used in the early medieval era in Britain, how it might have been used, and the people that use it currently. I am interested in questions such as why is there such an upsurge in the use of this ancient tool in the last decade or so? How was cloth made? Can we determine whether a particular weave was prominently created on a specific loom type? It is possible that this information may be published as a book, if I can prove enough interest in the subject matter.
Feel free to pass this on to anyone you know who may be interested in adding to the information. Responses should be emailed to Christina Petty (University of Manchester, Manchester UK) at cpetty_us@yahoo.com. Thank you for your time.
Warp Weighted Weavers Questionnaire Level 1
1. How long have you been using a warp weighted loom?
a. More than 10 years.
b. Between 5 and 10 years.
c. Less than 5 years.
2. Why did you start using this loom?
a. Professional curiosity.
b. Personal interest.
c. For my re-enactment/Living History group.
d. A set up for a museum/film.
e. Other.
3. Where did you learn to use one?
a. From a teacher.
b. From a book.
c. From the web.
d. Experimentation.
4. Were you a weaver before using a warp weighted loom?
a. Yes.
b. No.
5. Which other primitive looms have you used?
a. Back strap.
b. Two beamed.
c. Navajo.
d. Card/Tablet.
e. Peg.
f. Other.
g. None of the above.
6. Do you also…
a. Spin.
b. Embroider.
c. Sew.
d. Knit.
e. Other fibre craft work.
7. What do you use for a beater?
a. Weaving sword/pick up stick.
b. Tapestry beater.
c. Weaving comb.
d. Pin beater.
8. What weaving pattern(s) have you tried?
a. Tabby.
b. Tapestry.
c. Twill.
d. Other.
9. How many pieces have you finished?
a. The first one is still on the loom.
b. One.
c. Two.
d. Three.
e. More than three.
10. What type of yarn/thread have you used?
a. Commercially spun linen/hemp?
b. Commercially spun wool.
c. Hand spun linen/hemp.
d. Hand spun wool.
11. Is your warp thread…
a. Singles.
b. Plied.
c. Synthetic dyes.
d. Natural dyes.
e. A different color than the weft thread, usually.
f. The same color as the weft thread, usually.
12. What type of loom weights do you use?
a. Donut shaped.
b. Bun shaped.
c. Flattened triangular.
d. Fired.
e. Unfired.
f. Improvised materials, such as metal washers, stones, etc.
13. How do you space the warp threads?
a. Tablet/card weave.
b. Figure 8 wrapping around the threads.
c. Throwing several wefts before beating.
d. A section of tabby.
e. Other.
14. Is your loom designed to …
a. Lean against a wall.
b. Be pegged into a structure.
c. Stand alone.
d. Be moved.
e. Be historically accurate.
f. Be functional only.
15. Is your loom made of…
a. Historically accurate woods and hand carved pegs.
b. Wood and pegs conveniently at hand, like pine.
c. PVC pipe, screws, glue and other modern materials.
16. Is your loom’s size based on…
a. A researched, historical loom.
b. The measurements of the weaver.
c. A convenient size to work with, such as what will fit in the room, or low enough to sit while working.
17. Are your heddle loops …
a. Knitted on.
b. Knotted with a single line of thread/yarn.
c. Knotted as single loops.
d. Other.
18. When you weave, do you …
a. Weave by yourself.
b. Weave with another weaver.
c. Do so as a demonstration for the public.
19. Where have you seen warp weighted looms?
a. In museums.
b. In books.
c. At Living History events.
d. On the internet.
20. Would you be willing to participate in a short answer survey?
a. If so, continue on to the next section.
b. If not, please return this questionnaire to cpetty_us@yahoo.com
Warp Weighted Weaver Questionnaire Level 2
1. Why did you start weaving with this tool?
2. Do you enjoy it?
3. Where did you learn how to use a warp weighted loom? Who was your teacher?
4. What difficulties have you had or learned from when setting up and weaving with the loom?
5. If you saw/used diagrams to assist with learning loom set up, how useful did you find them?
6. What do you use for weft beating, and how do you use it?
7. What would you like to see from a book about warp weighted looms?
8. Would you be willing to be interviewed about warp weighted weaving?
If so, please leave a way to contact you (Yahoo Messenger, Skype, telephone call, etc.) and when would be the best times to reach you. Thank you for your time!
