r/weaving • u/GaDawg78644 • 2d ago

Help Recommendation

I worked in an industrial weaving plant 30 years ago and want to get into it as a hobby, now that I’m retired.
I was thinking of investing in a 10” Chloe Mirrex. Should I do that or just buy a cheap $30 loom to start with?
I think I will really enjoy weaving as a hobby.
I am interested in Tapestry weaving.
Thoughts?

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7

u/Resident_Bus_4484 2d ago

For the price of the Chloe, you could buy a used 4 shaft floor loom, or a rigid heddle loom--both of which would allow you to weave bigger things.

1

u/GaDawg78644 2d ago

Thanks for the insight. Where would I look for used weaving equipment?

1

u/Resident_Bus_4484 2d ago

Where do you live? Try local weaving guilds, FB marketplace and forums. Best idea is to try to find a weaving class, where you might be able to try different kinds of looms.

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u/GaDawg78644 2d ago

Good suggestions, thank you

4

u/Mrs_Weaver 2d ago

10" is really limiting. If you can get something a little bigger, it will give you a lot more options.

2

u/pardalote_ 2d ago

A Mirrix loom will let you weave tapestry style. A 4 shaft(etc) or rigid heddle loom will let you weave a balanced fabric. So it depends what to weave.

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u/GaDawg78644 2d ago

I’m interested in Tapestry weaving

1

u/pardalote_ 2d ago

I started off by making a copper pipe loom - I've never done that kind of thing before, but it was actually fun and it worked well. Rebecca Mezoff has some great instructions for how to make one.

Actually, if you're interested in tapestry, her resources are great - and she has quite a few blog posts/videos about different looms (including small options for starting out).

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u/monolithictrout 2d ago

I got a 4 shaft 30” table top loom on marketplace for 150 and I Love it!! Pick up a used loom and have fun!

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u/Lanalee67 2d ago

There are several places to buy resale weaving equipment, including tapestry looms. My usual go tos are:

*Ravelry: there is a group for tapestry weavers that has a resale thread; Warped Weavers Marketplace group, and Weavers and Spinners Trading Post are two groups dedicated to resale of weaving equipment

*Facebook: there are several resale groups for looms and weaving supplies; Marketplace also may have local people selling looms

*Craigslist

If you don’t want to wait to find a resale loom, the Mirrix looms are very nice. You could also make your own tapestry loom. Check Rebecca Mezoff’s book (borrow from the library or buy it, because it’s a great resource) and website for information on a do it yourself tapestry loom made from stuff you can buy at a local hardware store.

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u/GaDawg78644 1d ago

Thank you