Weaving is a process with many stages, even when the last shuttle has passed through the warp there is much to be done to achieve a fine finish.

These images show two of these steps:

Hemstitching, in which I separate the warp threads into groups of four and stitch along the edge of the weaving in order to secure it in place.

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and fringe twisting, where two of those groups are carefully twisted and knotted together by hand to create an even fringe.

This is the latest addition to the Old Oak loom fleet. She is a mid 20th century Weavemaster table loom. She has two shafts which means she cannot weave complex patterns but specialises in what is known as plain weave - or tabby. One thread over, one thread under.

She was rather rusty after a prolonged stay in a damp shed so after a polish for the wood and wire brush rub-down to the metal parts I decided to embellish the heddle frames with some decoupage of flowers and trees, a nod towards my other loves of gardening and nature - bringing the outside in.

For the first warp I have used some inexpensive yarn as I iron out any issues. Happily these have been few.