UNIT 7:WEAVING USING BASIC LOCAL MATERIALS
Key unit competence: To be able to create a various forms of
craft works by manipulating differenttools and raffia.
Introductory Activity
Observe weaving works and answer the following questions
1. Differentiate between warps and wefts.2. Describe main techniques used in weaving.
7.1Materials and tools
Activity 7.1
1. According to domestic objects weaved, describe the essential tools
and materials used then deduce the definition of weaving.
Weaving
Weaving is the art of interlacing two distinct sets of threads (yarns) crossing
each other at right angles. The vertical threads called warps and thehorizontal threads called wefts.
To weave, one needs;
1. Yarns: These can be threads from natural fiber or synthetic materials.
2. A loom: These are of different types. The choice depends on item
to be made and the materials available. Loom accessories include
shuttles, heddles, shed sticks and others like table-rooms are a bit
complex. Factory looms are large and quite complicated.
Materials and tools used for finishing. These include needles, ruler,
cardboard, threads, scissors and pieces of wood or frames, leathers, ribbons
and bindings. You can use virtually any type of yarn to create your warp/ weft
truly. Weavers commonly use Cotton. It is soft and pliable, yet sturdy and
strong. This combination makes it the perfect yarn to use to create your
warp/ weft.
Application activity 7.1
• Explain the following terms:
a. Yarns
b. A loom• List the materials and tools required in weaving.
7.2.Weaving process/ ways of weaving
Activity 7.2
1. From the answers to the activity 7.1, explain any two weaving
techniques.
2. What do you understand by Dowel loom?
The process of weaving starts from analyzing designs and material
preparations, apply one of the weaving techniques.
Weaving techniques
How the weft made to intersect through the warps results in a fabric with
particular characteristics. The method is referred to as techniques.
a. Cross (plain weave)
A plain weave structure is created when a weft goes in and out the warpsin a pattern of one over one. The weave diagrammatically is shown below:
b. Diagonal (twill weave)
A twill weave structure usually creates diagonal lines on the woven fabric
and is popular with suiting materials. The weave is created by passing one
weft over one warp, under two, over one and so on. It can also be one weft
over one warp under three, over one and so on. The threads that look looseare called floats.
c. Twining weave
A twining weave structure forms a chained formation dense fabric. Theweave is created by interlocking two crossing wefts around one warp.
d. Ghiordes knot
A Ghiordes knot is a type of technique that creates a pile like a towel or a
bushy rag. Pieces of thread (yarn) are cut short. Two rows plain weave are
done. The next rows are done by wrapping the short-cut threads around the
warps in a loop called the Ghiordes knot. The next two lines are done in plainweave. Then a row of knots follows and so on. The knot is made as follows:
Different simple looms
Card looms
There are various card looms, that is serrated rectangular card loom and
circular card loom. To make these looms, one needs a card (manila or
straw board), a pair of scissors or a razor blade, a ruler and other geometric
equipment. There has to be accurate measuring, drawing and cutting. Thewarp threads are then stretched on the loom ready for weaving.
Dowel loom
A dowel loom is made up of four strong sticks joined together by tying or
nailing. The warp threads are simply tied up and down the two further apartadjacent ends as shown.
Frame loom
A frame loom is made up of a wooden frame with nails driven across two
adjacent ends. The warps are stretched across the frame, with the nailsregulating their spacing as shown below.
Application activity 7.2
• Describe how to create the following weave constructions.
a. Twining weaveb. Ghiordes knot
End unit assessment 7
1. Using knowledge and skills you gained from weaving module,
make your own loom.
2. By using one of the weaving techniques, apply it and make an object