Complex Weavers

Chair: Kathryn McMahon barnlooms@yahoo.com
Fees: US $12.00/year (US funds)
Publication: At least two newsletters per year
Sample Exchange:
To Join: E-mail the chair listed above.
Group began: 2006
Closing Date: None
Membership: Unlimited

Old looms are beautiful. In that old cracked wood are many stories. If only they could talk! Since that's not possible I'm afraid we must find those stories ourselves. The many old looms that are out there are for the most part, uncatalogued and their histories undocumented. This needs to be done before the little history that is still known about them is lost. I hope you'll join me in trying to preserve this important and often overlooked part of our history as weavers. You do not need to own a historic loom to become a member of this study group. Only a desire to find out more about them and a willingness to share what you find with others is required!

A study group entitled "Early American Looms" requires a clarification of terms. By "Early" I mean pre-twentieth century. By "American" I mean used in America.

Besides documenting as much history as possible about existing looms, the range of related topics of study I would like to encourage is vast. Here are a few: Loom makers. Types of Looms. Categorization of looms based on purpose. Clarification of terminology (Is there a difference between a "barn loom", "four poster" and a "timber frame"?) Regional loom similarities and differences. Native American Looms. Is there such a thing as an "American" Loom? Loom equipment and accessories. Early publications or manuscripts including information about looms of the period. Museum exhibits highlighting looms and loom equipment.

All members will be required to contribute at least one article per year to the newsletter on the topic of their choice. Depending on the number of members there will be at least two newsletters per year, and hopefully more. In addition, members are asked to add looms to the Early American Loom database in an effort to catalog existing looms.