Making Your Own Cards and shuttles
Cards are usually square through there are patterns that call for triangular or hexagon shaped cards. The cards are 2.5 to 4 inches in width. This does not matter as long as all the cards are the same size. The corners are rounded and there is a hole punched in each corner. It's important not to get the holes too close to the edges or the warp will tangle as you turn the cards later. Cards can be made out of any hard, thin material. The cards must be thin so that you can hold many of them in your hands at the same time. The back of those large paper pads used for presentations are excellent can yield 50 to 60 of the cards. The cardboard coasters found in some bars also make good cards, if you can get enough of them. Each card has the holds labeled A-B-C-D beginning at the top right and proceeding clockwise. The top of the card is in the edge labeled "D-A". Number the cards consecutively. This will help in threading the cards. Also, you may want to use a marker and color the top edge of the cards at this time. That will help keep track of where you are in working the patterns.
Making shuttles - A simple shuttle can be made by using a wooden ruler. If there is a metal edge, pull it out. Cut indentations into the two ends for the weft thread.
Both cards and shuttles can be purchased from a variety of sources such as:
Earth Guild
Weaving a Practice Band
You will need 40 warp threads about 2 yards long:
16 Dark
10 Medium
14 Light
and 10 cards
Hold card #1 so that the writing faces to your left and thread the card with the colors indicated on the pattern grid. Thread from the side with the writing. Pull the threads through about 12 inches and then tie the 4 threads together (or tie them to the loom if you are using one). If not using a loom, then tie all the threads into a bundle once the cards are all threaded.
Once the cards have been threaded, you need to comb the warp. Pick up the cards and gently pull them through to the other end of the warp, untangling any snags as you go. Be careful not to pull the cards all the way off the threads at the other end. If using a loom, now is the time to secure the other ends, otherwise tie this end in a knot like you did the first end.
If you are tying your warp to stationary objects (like a pair of "C" clamps on a board or table or between yourself adn a door knob) tie a string around each knot and use that to secure the warp to the object.
The shed is the open space created by the threads between the holes. Turn the cards as one unit a quarter turn. See how the shed changes? This is how you create different patterns by turning the cards in different directions.
The weft thread is the thread that passes back and forth through the shed after each rotation of the cards.
The sample pattern is made by rotating the cards (a quarter turn at a time), 4 times toward yourself and then 4 times away from yourself. You begin with D-A on the top of each card adn then D-A comes up again, you begin rotating the other way, until it comes up again.
Continue in this matter until the piece is completed.
If the warp threads become twisted and make turning the cards difficult, you will have to undo the unfinished end of the warp and comb it again.
Finishing - When the band is finished, either untie or cut off the knots at either end. The easiest way to finish the ends is to tie a knot at either end of the band to hold the threads and keep them from unraveling leaving the remaining warp as fringe.
Pictures of the Card Weaving Loom that I made
Bibliography for Beginners
Atwater, Mary Meigs. Byways in Hand Weaving MacMillian, 1954.
Crocket, Candace. Card Weaving. Loveland, Co: Interweave Press 1973/1991
Katz, Ruth J. Card Weaving Van Nostrand Reinhold, Co. 1977.
Russell, Elfleda. Off Loom Weaving Little Brown & Co, 1975
Snow, Marjorie and William. Step by Step Tablet Weaving Golden Press 1973.
Bibliography for Advanced Weavers
Collingwood, Peter. The Techniques of Tablet Weaving Robin and Russ Handweavers, 1982.
Spies, Nancy. Ecclesiastical Pomp and Circumstance Arelate Studio, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084, 2000.
Return to the Medieval Arts Page.
Unless otherwise noted, all text and drawings are copyright 2001 P. Girard
Email the page owner Lady Almaith