Welcome to the Bloomin Loom

Welcome and thank you for visiting my pages. For those of you who may have seen my work on display, perhaps purchased a piece of weaving or who are curious as to how the work is done, you will find here descriptions and photos of the actual method of creating woven art.

All of my work is done using traditional wooden weaving looms. Each loom has its own characteristics and may be used for certain types of work. From a cone of yarn and an idea come fabrics for the home or apparel, each one carefully crafted. Hand woven items take us back to a time when a craftsperson and artist would create something worthy of being called heirloom. I hope you enjoy these pages, whether you are looking for a special and unique gift or considering taking weaving lessons.

Each loom has its own characteuristics and may be used for a particular type of weaving, the 16 shaft dobby loom can create wide pieces up to 60 inches with complex designs. The jack looms use multiple treadles to push up the shafts which can be 4 or 8 shafts, the more shafts, the more potential for a complex design.

The Swedish drawloom can create flowing large patterns and fine damask work. The loom has two sets of shafts, the second set are weighted with long metal pins called lingoes which make a soothing noise like wind chimes while weaving.

Lessons can be taught on any of these looms depending on a students interest and skill level.

The Mira counterbalance is used for rag rugs as it allows a thick shuttle or stick containing the heavier rug wefts to pass through easily.