In my weaving studio I use and love Louët looms. Whenever textiles students are doing studio visits with me, they ask why I love them so much and they get my enthusiastic speech! I thought I’d put it down in a blog post to share some of the reasons I choose these looms and accessories.
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I really enjoy working with these machines so I have quite a list! Let’s go.
Elegant Design
Louët looms have an elegant, minimalist design and clever engineering. There’s nothing there for the sake of it, and everything that’s there is full powered. Louët looms – whether table looms, floor looms, jack looms, countermarche looms, or dobby looms, have smooth action, modular design, and are compact. A 32 shaft Megado punches above its weight in power for space. Every part is well-considered and thought out.
I love the countermarche mechanism of the Spring, the rising back beam of the Megado, the sinking shed of the David. To me, the clean design is not only beautiful but makes it efficient and a joy to use.
Selection
Louët have a large collection of looms to suit a wide variety of needs. For example, in my studio right now I have three Louët looms. I have a Louët Jane, which is an 8 shaft folding table loom that I collapse when not in use. I just slide down the side of a bookcase or under the bed. I use it for sampling materials, yarns, setts, weave structures, and other textile exploration. Among the many benefits of a table loom, there’s no need to change a tie up so often and of course that they can be extremely space efficient!
I also have a Louët David. This is an extremely compact 8 shaft floor loom with a sinking shed jack mechanism. The back beam folds in while warped for compact storage, which has been very useful for London life and moving house. I also have an enormous 32 shaft computer dobby Louët Megado. Mine is a 32 shaft computer dobby, suitable for full scale hand production. And that’s just what’s in my studio! To have such a selection of products, and have a consistent familiarity with my looms gives me a clarity, fluidity, and flexibility in my work that I’m so grateful for.
Lightweight and Modular
I mentioned the compactness of these looms, which are designed with constant attention to how much space they take up, but I’d also like to add that they can be assembled and disassembled in a straightforward fashion. Bolts undo readily, beams can be removed, and on some floor looms beams fold in or can simply be removed. Everything in my view is created very smoothly with consideration to this.
This is useful not only for transportation, which can be moving house or studio, but also taking the brilliant Jane loom to classes and seminars, as well as rearrangement and storage. It also helps with warping the loom – I remove the breast beam and entire beater assembly and actually sit inside my looms to thread! When I’m done, I just pop them back on and continue on my way.
When I first got my David loom, I wasn’t sure if I wanted a sectional beam or a second beam, or a fly shuttle, or anything else. Since these add-ons are readily available and easy to add after the fact it was possible for me to try it out, then add extensions as I wanted.
Quiet
Texsolv heddles and tie up cord, Texsolv shaft cables, smooth action. Even when living in a terraced house in London with shared walls I was never worried about noise. I appreciate that it’s quiet enough that I can hear myself think while I’m weaving and even listen to a podcast!
The treadling is smooth and quiet, and the headles and tie up system are silent.
There we go!
Whichever model, I like that the concept of elegant design and engineering is consistent throughout the range, and that the looms are a beautiful quailty. People don’t tend to sell on their Louët looms often, which is why there are so few available second hand. This can be a frustration when shopping but it also means that if you want to move your loom on, either to move to a different loom or to a different interest in life, there will be an audience for it.
I really love my Louët looms and wouldn’t want to be without them. I trust them and know that they offer the range that I need to explore weaving. In my studio I also use the Louët tension regulator and other accessories, so the options are wide.
There we go! If you have any questions about Louët looms please feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to help. And if this was useful for you please bookmark, share, and recommend to a friend! The best way to help tiny independent businesses is to spread the word.
Thanks so much for your support, and happy weaving!
-Kathleen