FAQ

What is a Mirrix Loom?
Mirrix Looms are multi-functional looms that are most often used for tapestry and bead weaving but can be used for all sorts of weaving ranging from free-form to wire weaving. The range of functions of Mirrix Looms are not their only advantage. They are crafted from copper and aluminum (in the U.S.A.) making them the strongest portable looms on the market. A strong loom means great tension which means straight and even pieces every time. In addition to being strong, Mirrix looms are precision milled, making them works of art themselves. The unique shedding devices on looms sizes 12" and up makes all kinds of weaving faster and easier. Who could ask for more than that?

Whatever your weaving goals are, Mirrix looms can meet your needs!

What makes a Mirrix Loom different from all other looms?
Mirrix Looms have many functions. There are no other looms like them in the world.

As a tapestry loom: The Mirrix Looms ranging from 12 inches wide (The Little Guy) to 38 inches wide (The ZeusLoom) are considered tapestry looms (even though they also work as bead looms) because they all have the unique Mirrix Shedding device. This practical device allows you to easily make a shed (for non-weavers, that means the space between the raised and lowered warps). You need high tension for tapestry and the Mirrix Loom provides the greatest tension of any portable tapestry loom. Without such tension it is nearly impossible to weave a tapestry with even selvedges. The Mirrix is the perfect tool for making a perfect tapestry.

You can add a stand and treadle to turn your portable Mirrix Loom into a floor loom. The great thing about this combination of loom, stand and treadle is that functions just like a floor loom but takes up a fraction of the space and can be easily disassembled for storage or to just remove the loom itself and take it to a workshop. The stand works with any of our loom and the treadle is clearly meant for those that include the shedding device.

As a bead loom: The Mirrix is a pioneer in the world of bead weaving. Our two smallest looms act very much like traditional bead loom (they do not include the shedding device) but are different in that the tension makes weaving beads so much easier and the product so much better. Our MiniMirrix is indeed a loom you can throw in a bag just like you would knitting or crochet. The LaniLoom is intended for much larger pieces and stands vertically on a table.

And then there are the looms sized 12 inches wide and up that can also be used for bead weaving. Those loom include the shedding device which provides a secondary method for weaving beads. This method is great for wider pieces (beaded tapestries). Once you've got in mastered, it's faster than the more traditional method of bead weaving.

Mirrix Looms are engineered to last for years and years. They are elegant pieces of machinery that will help you turn your yarn or beads into a masterpiece. They will also work for wire weaving and a combination of tapestry and bead weaving.

What is the difference between a "warp coil" and a "spring"?
Nothing. We use these words interchangeably to mean the spring at the top of your loom or at the bottom if you have a bottom spring kit.

How do you know when your loom is warped correctly?
There are several ways to know if you loom is warped correctly and several things to check:
1) Turn your loom sideways and make sure that the thread does not cross inside and goes all the way around the loom. (The warp can NEVER cross inside because that would prevent you from being able to advance the warp.) 
2) Release the tension slightly on the loom. You should be able to lift up on the warping bar. 
3) If you are warping for bead weaving without the shedding device or tapestry weaving with the shedding device, make sure there is one string in every dent. If you are warping for bead weaving with the shedding device make sure there are two strings in every dent.  What size loom can I use if I want to weave both beads and tapestry?
The 12" loom is the smallest bead and tapestry loom we make. Any larger loom can also be used for beads or tapestry. The 5" and 8" looms are dedicated bead looms.

How long a piece can I weave on a Mirrix?
The general rule is 1 1/2 times the length of the loom you own. (Note: Your weaving width is slightly smaller than the width of each loom.)

Are Mirrix Looms allowed as carry-on on commercial airplanes?
Some people have brought their looms on airplanes but to be safe please contact your airline with this question.  My shedding device (with the wooden clips) is squeaking when I use it. What do I do to stop this?
Put a drop of WD-40 or olive oil on your finger and touch the top of shedding device. Then, turn it back and forth a few times until the squeaking stops.

What warp and weft materials do you suggest for beaded tapestries?
We work exclusively with C-Lon. Other people have used things like Fireline but we feel it is too thick especially when using the shedding device. 

How can I travel with a loom that has a tapestry on it?
Assuming you are weaving tapestry, just make sure your spring bar is in your warp coil (it should be anyway but it is really important that your warp threads stay in the warp coil). We also suggest putting rubber bands around the spring just to make sure everything stays in place. After you do that, simply reduce the tension on your loom, squish the loom and weaving down and pack! When you get to your destination put the tension back on and it should be good as new.

How should you prepare your beaded tapestry for hanging?
One example of what you can do is to turn your thread ends over to the back of the tapestry. Attach sticky velcro and sew it down. Attach the other piece of velcro to a piece of wood. Hang. 

Can you use a second shedding device on the loom?
Yes.

 When using the bottom spring kit, when can you remove the spring?
Remove the spring from the bottom spring kit when you need to advance your weaving. You need to leave it in place to weave your first rows. That is the point of the bottom spring, to make weaving the first row easy.  If you removed it before then it would not serve it's Function.

How do you keep a straight line when doing your first row of weaving with seed beads?
Run your finger along bottom of first row until it is straight.  If you are using the bottom spring kit, weave the first row directly above it. The beads will rest against the tray and will necessarily be straight.

What do I do if, when weaving tapestry with thicker warp on one of the larger looms, my spring won't stay in place when I advance the warp?
Tie the spring to the loom on either side (and in the middle if necessary) to hold the spring in place while you advance the warp.

How do I know what warp coil to use for tapestry?
This is something you have to experiment with as a tapestry weaver. For finer weft, you will want to use a warp coil with more dents per inch. For thicker weft, you will want to use a warp coil with more dents per inch or even warp every other dent. (For example, an 18 dent warp coil every other dent is equal to a 9 dent warp coil.)

The basic thing to remember is to make sure your warps threads aren't showing and you must consider the warp set (how far apart your warp threads are, or what warp coil you are using), how thick your weft is and how thick your warp is. One way to determine your weft size is to put your weft in between your warp threads vertically when your loom is warped. If your weft threads are much thicker than the space between the two warp threads, then your weft is probably too thick and if your weft threads are much thinner than you know your weft is too thin.

How do I know what warp coil to use for bead weaving?
Place the beads you plan on weaving on a needle and measure an inch. Then, count how many beads are in that inch. The number of beads minus one is the warp coil that will be used. For example, if you are using Delicas you would find 19 Delicas are in one inch, so you would use the 18 dent coil. There is some leeway in this, and depending on the beads you are using, it might not work out perfectly (numerically), just close. Using a smaller (lower number) coil is better than using a larger (higher number) coil.