How is weaving done? This is how a loom works.

Weaving is considered one of the oldest techniques for producing large textile surfaces. It involves interlacing several thread systems with each other to create the fabric. Although the principle is basically simple, the production of such a fabric requires a lot of patience and concentration. This is because the pre-tensioned warp threads, which are the carriers of this construct, are interlaced at right angles with the weft threads from one selvedge to the other. This process can therefore take a considerable amount of time.

In concrete terms, the vertical threads are clamped into the loom, as shown in the image. The weft thread, which can be seen in blue in the image above, is “shot through” from right to left and vice versa. By repeating this process, the fabric gradually takes shape.

`The History of the Art of Weaving`

Along with wood and stone processing, weaving is one of the oldest crafts. As early as 32,000 years ago, people in ancient Egypt wove threads into large garments.

By the Neolithic period at the latest, i.e., 11,500 BC, warp-weighted looms were known. In this technique, the warp threads were attached to a loom weight and allowed to hang from a horizontal beam. However, based on clay impressions found in the Czech Republic, it can be established that weaving occurred even before this time. Weaving also took place on Swiss soil, as evidenced by archaeological excavations of warp-weighted looms. This method was used until the Middle Ages.

The art of weaving also helped many peoples achieve wealth. The Assyrians, Babylonians, and later the Phoenicians traded in woven textiles and carpets, maintaining their technological lead in Persia, Asia Minor, and Arabia until the 13th century.

Weaving was also known to the Greeks; according to Homer, it was the primary occupation of women. In art, pictorial weaving even competed with painting.

During the Roman Imperial period, weaving was done not only with wool but also with materials such as Egyptian, Spanish, and Chinese silk. The Germanic tribes preferred weaving complex patterns, using wool and linen yarns.

The Oriental art of weaving dominated the world market in the early Middle Ages. The rich ornamentation of ceremonial robes with patterns was produced for emperors, princes, and knights, among others.

In Europe, weaving began in the 15th century. In Augsburg, there was even a weavers’ guild with 700 members. Over centuries, cottage industries emerged in Germany. The partners of these home-based weaving businesses were the putting-out system and the trading houses. The weavers were sold yarn, and the finished goods were bought back from them. For the weavers, this represented an additional source of income, although they were only poorly compensated.

`Tools`

For millennia, various versions of the simple loom were used worldwide. However, the production technique only changed with the invention of the treadle loom. With the development of the mechanical loom, such as the ribbon mill, it was possible around 1600 to weave twenty or more ribbons simultaneously.

In the 18th century, significant advancements were made to the loom. John Kay, for example, invented the flying shuttle, which automated the shuttling process. This allowed the warp threads to be interlaced with the weft thread much faster. J.M. Jacquard, on the other hand, built a revolutionary loom around 1805, where the warp threads could be individually lowered and raised using punch cards. This made it possible to produce large-scale patterned fabrics. The variety of patterns was now unlimited.

The mechanical looms of this era were driven by steam engines; the first electrically powered loom was not introduced until 1879. For correcting errors, small tools such as trimming scissors, cleaning needles, and cleaning irons are used.

However, with the rise of industrial weaving mills, cottage weaving industries disappeared. In the 21st century, weaving is primarily seen as a type of artisanal craft or used for various therapies.

Author: Melis Karaali