Fibre equipment migrations in full swing

This week has seen a lot of fibre equipment shifting around throughout the Hill Country. Just my part in this was considerable.

First of all I facilitated the selling of a spinning wheel with a large amount of associated gear. Plus the same buyer took a motorized drum carder, with three drums! And there were nice Russian paddle combs in the kit too.

I had the pleasure of delivering this full truck load from my home town to San Angelo. She maintains a spinner's flock of fibre animals and it was really fun to see the variety. And great to visit with three spinner friends in that city. A great day was had.

And just today I returned from a double header. I purchased a used Rio Grande Kit Loom, which is a type of walking loom. It is a loom that was designed by Rachel Brown and Ron Moore in New Mexico. The original owner may have bought it in 1991. And the second owner bought it in '96.

Here is what it looked like in the seller's home.

In this photo the back warp beam and braces there are folded up against the castle. This allows for the loom to be moved through narrow doorways. And it can be folded with a warp in use! The weaving width is 45 inches and it is a four shaft counterbalance. It is ideally designed and used for rug weaving and tapestry. As one reads the owner's manual though, it indicates that it can be used for yardage and apparel material. Perfect!

The treadles jut out about thirty inches from the front of the loom. You stand to weave at it and stand on the treadle you want to depress.

And here is a shot of what it currently looks like.

It is just a pile of sticks and bolts. This is in my workshed out back. The previous owner had started to rehab it, with many new bolts. She even washed the teksolv heddles. One set of cords needs replacing: from the lamms to the shafts I think.

I intend to sand this down a little. It is pine. Then the wood needs some conditioning. Maybe I can find a stain that also conditions? I am tempted to go a little wild with stain colour and take inspiration from a southwest sunrise maybe????

And the second fabulous thing today was that I could help out a spindle spinner gal who was ready for a treadle wheel. I sold her my Makewell wheel. I still have plenty of wheels and spindles. And that one is particularly solid and stable. I hope she enjoys it.

Oh Happy Day!