Weaving Tools
Bobbin
The weft spool that lives inside the shuttle
Lock the brake firstNever cut a tensioned warpMask up for dusty fibreVentilate the dye areaTie back hair · check heddles · ventilate
Specifications
| Type | Standard, jumbo, pirn, quill |
|---|---|
| Length | 7 – 15 cm |
| Materials | Plastic, wood, metal |
| Fit | Match the shuttle bore |
| Quantity | Six or more per colour set |
| Winding | Even, under light tension |
Technical parameters
| Core diameter | 6 – 12 mm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Depends on yarn count |
| Winder | Side or end delivery |
| Best for | Any boat-shuttle weaving |
| Maintenance | Keep the flanges clean |
2Weave4 – 24 dpi
Overview
A bobbin is the spool the weft is wound onto before it goes into a boat shuttle. Standard and jumbo sizes fit different shuttle bores, and the winding tension you put on the bobbin is the tension the weft will have all the way across the cloth.
Typical figure for this stage: 40 – 70 ppi. Open the shed, pass the weft, beat it home. Rhythm and consistent beat make an even cloth.
Safety notes
Bobbins are small and roll — a dropped one under the treadles is a trip hazard and can jam the loom. Keep a tray. Do not over-tension the winding; a tightly wound bobbin can spring its yarn and whip the shuttle.
Using it well
- Wind bobbins evenly across the full length — a barrel-shaped bobbin unwinds badly.
- Wind several bobbins at once so you never stop mid-pick to refill.
- Jumbo bobbins hold more but need a bigger shuttle bore; check before you buy.
- A bobbin winder pays for itself in the first project.
Works with
Practise it in 3D
Run this stage as an interactive simulation, with the same figures this page quotes.
Open the simulatorEducational reference. Specifications are typical published ranges for this class of equipment or material, not a specification for any one product. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local rules. Nothing here is a guarantee of cloth, colour or result.
