Looms & Frames
Inkle loom
Belt loom for warp-faced bands
Lock the brake firstNever cut a tensioned warpMask up for dusty fibreVentilate the dye areaTie back hair · check heddles · ventilate
Specifications
| Typical band width | 1.5 – 8 cm |
|---|---|
| Warp length | 1.5 – 3 m continuous |
| Shafts | None — hand-picked sheds |
| Weight | 1 – 3 kg |
| Setup time | 15 – 30 minutes |
| Portability | Very high |
Technical parameters
| Shed mechanism | Hand — heddle rod plus pick-up |
|---|---|
| Warp tension | Frame tension pegs |
| Pattern source | Warp colour order |
| Materials | Oak, maple or ply |
| Best for | Belts, straps, trim, narrow warp-faced bands |
2Weave25 – 160 cm
Overview
An inkle loom holds a continuous warp under tension and produces a narrow, warp-faced band — the weft is almost invisible, so all the pattern comes from the order of the coloured warp ends. It is the traditional tool for belts, straps, trim and bookbinders’ tape.
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
The warp is under continuous tension and a slipped peg can whip the whole band loose. Hold the frame steady and never let go of a tension peg while the warp is loaded. Keep the tension pegs seated fully.
Using it well
- Because the band is warp-faced, choose your warp colours before you warp — you cannot correct it later.
- Keep the tension even along the whole warp or the band will bow.
- Lettering and geometric motifs are traditional and work well at this scale.
- A finished inkle band is very strong; that is why it is used for straps.
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.
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