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Quick Tip for Seamlessly Joining Wefts by Reducing Plies

Adding a new weft doesn’t have to be a bulky affair. Whether you’re changing colors or just changing bobbins, using the ply-reduction method will give you a seamless join.

Christina Garton Oct 8, 2024 - 2 min read

Quick Tip for Seamlessly Joining Wefts by Reducing Plies Primary Image

In her Penny Candy Scarf, Sara Bixler used her ply-reduction technique every time she changed weft colors. Photo by Matt Graves

The first time I wove log cabin on my rigid-heddle loom, I remember wondering how early on I was supposed to change out my colors without having a big old lump at each new weft join. I’m fairly certain I just smashed at it with my heddle and hoped for the best.

If only I knew then what I know now. Seamlessly joining even the bulkiest of wefts is as simple as separate, snip, separate, snip. If that makes no sense, then please watch this video clip of Sara Bixler in her new video Color-and-Weave on the Rigid-Heddle Loom, in which she demonstrates how to use this technique at the start and at the end of a weft section. When I say it’s life-changing, I’m only slightly exaggerating.

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6S5bzCa_KE

I wish I could go back and tell past me this solution–it would have certainly saved me years of bulky joins in projects where I’m constantly changing out wefts.

Of course, I’m glad to have this tip now and can’t wait to use it in my next weaving project. Check out Sara's video not just for this tip but for other tips and tricks for weaving gorgeous color-and-weave projects on your rigid heddle loom.

Happy Weaving!

Christina

Originally published 6/30/2022; updated 10/8/2024

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