The Dobby Loom
The loom upon which I weave is designed and handmade by Eric Henry in Cornwall, UK
Eric Henry | Weaver Rae
Our Dobby Loom is controlled by a shedding mechanism which Rae manually programmes weaving patterns. Positioned pegs in a chain of bars are fed through each lift. Where there is a peg, a heddle frame is lifted, this selects which warps are lifted and which aren’t. No peg, no lift, so in a sense it is a very basic computer! You can read the beginnings of this union here: The Making of My Loom
This Dobby Control Mechanism is designed by us for our eight-shaft floor loom used to make these handwoven luxury accessories. It is based on a principle that has been in use since the Industrial Revolution
It will no doubt get further modified and refined as it is used. This system allows Rae to hand-weave further complicated patterns, and takes some of the thinking away from the positioning of the feet. Rae has just one treadle to push as opposed to a sequence of up to eight treadles - See the video below for a demonstration
(If you look closely you can also spot one of Eric’s oil paintings hanging on the wall. But don’t tell him that Rae told you!)
Follow Weaver Rae’s Instagram for the most recent footage of the loom in action
The Dobby loom is designed and handmade in Cornwall. Here is a demonstration of the loom in action that Rae uses to make her handwoven luxury accessories of British wool