Backstrap loom

It's simple and portable and it took me ages to warp it – at least it seemed like ages, as all first time things can do.  And that was only eighteen warp threads (it can take sixty or so). 

I got it at a garage sale many months ago before I had any interest in weaving.  But it had to do with fibre……

KBN has motivated me to expand and explore.

The weft is men's ties.  I want to see if this will work for the basket/bag design.

This is what it looks like from the viewpoint of the weaver but it is meant to be used by a person seated on the ground with the othe end of the loom attached to a door handle or tree at that angle.  I need to sit on a chair.  I have hooked the other end to the top of a door.  The angle is not right.  I need to experiment or see someone using one.  Likely both.

The belt that goes around the waist was missing so I have used a regular belt with leather attaching it to the loom.  Maybe it is meant to go around the hips?  The torso?  Where is a Mayan weaver when you need to watch one?

I am challenged but it feels very good to discover the 'workings' of something so simple, so versatile, portable, 'ancient'.  And beautiful.