Exploring the Loom: A Journey Through Diverse Weaving Shuttles
Weaving is one of the oldest crafts in the world as well as one of the most colourful. Over the centuries, Looms have evolved from primitive wooden devices to intricate machinery that can produce fabrics that have an influence on the fashion, furniture and even the technical textile industry. This evolution is particularly fascinating because it demonstrates the fact that technology and creativity have been travelling partners in the history of textiles. Pivotal to every moment of this change is the shuttle, the device that allows the weft yarn to travel over the warp. Hand-thrown wooden shuttles, shuttleless rapier technology, and computer-driven jacquard loom machinery — for every evolving milestone, each invention has redefined what weavers can achieve. The Origins—When Shuttles Were Handmade The first looms were frame-like structures, and the shuttle was just a stick covered with yarn. These early tools took patience, skill, and hours upon hours of work. Each inch of cloth was a ...