(re post from April 26 2011)
The backstrap loom weaving adventure continues.
I was using the long notched shuttles that came with the backstrap loom and starting to get the hang of them.
Then I wondered how the boat shuttle would work.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had used it with Saori looms and found it simply wonderful; for some reason it did not immediately occur to me that it would be as fantastic on the backstrap; something to do with having to work with the shuttles that came with the backstrap, I suppose. Metaphor for life here, somehow.
Anyway – as I was sailing along with the boat shuttle (it glides! it can dip above and below the warp threads on its journey across; the bobbin twirls easily and releases the weft succinctly; the bobbin can be loaded easily and succinctly; it feels great and looks lovely) I wondered who had invented it. Had some thought it might have been a Saori design. But no, good ol' Google gave me this.
Now I want to make one. I am thinking an ocean shore stroll and looking for a boat-shaped piece of driftwood. Or maybe repurposing some kitchen utensil or piece of furniture or child's wooden toy or …….
The boat shuttle is shown at rest ….. and …. at work.
The Saori mindset, the Saori influence is clearly evident.
I am intending to weave a piece about five feet long and then fold it into an intriguing bag with only three seams that has aspects of origami (orikeito – cloth folding, actually) and a sense of moebius as well.