Releasing tension

Well, the foot is almost back to normal – normal enough that I got to start weaving again! 🙂

And let me tell you, it was frustrating.   The threads started breaking again.  Over 20 threads in about nine inches.  It was driving me nuts.  So I posted to WeaveTech and Weavolution about my problem, and Sara von Tresckow nailed it: the tension was too high.  Virtually all the broken threads were on shafts 24, which (I think) raises just slightly higher than all the other shafts, putting slightly more tension on the yarn.  So it was breaking.

So I tried an experiment: I removed one of the live-tension weights on the loom, and tried weaving with only half the weight on the loom.  And it worked!!  The threads stopped breaking, the shed still looks good, and I wove nearly 12 inches today.  I’m hoping to hit the four-yard mark tomorrow, though that may be a bit of a stretch.

As an added bonus, the loom is now much easier to treadle.  I hadn’t realized you could weave with such loose tension – I’ve always woven with pretty tight warps – but it seems to be working, so I’m very happy!

Oh yes, the muslin.  I went out at lunchtime today and bought some nylon netting with which to make a small crinoline, so I can see what the coat looks like when floofed up slightly.  I’ve also realized that it’s silly to make up entire dresses to see what various forms of evening wear will look like underneath the coat, when I’ve got an entire closet full of tutus!  Most of them are off the shoulder or strapless, so they will give me an idea of how the bodice style works with the coat.  After I have the style right, then I can make up a full muslin in the style that interests me.

I suspect that, in the end, it makes very little difference how the dress underneath the coat is constructed – because if the coat is on, no one’s going to see it, and if the coat is off, all people will see is the dress!  But I am still thinking of something relatively simple – it would be silly to have a simple, elegant coat with an ornate, over-the-top dress underneath.  (Unless, of course, I plan to cast off the coat and burst into song under the glittering disco ball.  Heaven save me from temptation.  🙂 )