If you’re not a weaver, there are probably a lot of words and concepts on this site that you don’t understand. Don’t worry, the Mirrix Dictionary is here to help! If you see or hear a weaving-related word that you don’t understand and don’t see it here, send us an email and we’ll define it for you!
Tapestry
Tapestry is a type of fiber weaving. It is weft-faced (ie: the warp does not show at all), the wefts are generally discontinuous (they do not go from selvedge (edge) to selvedge (edge) and it is generally pictorial (like painting a picture with fiber).
Bead Weaving
Bead weaving is the process of weaving beads on a loom. There are two ways to do this. 1.) The traditional method of weaving beads where you place your beads on a thread behind your warp threads and then sew through the front. 2.) With the shedding device, where you use the device to lift half of your warp threads and place your beads on a thread in between those threads. You can learn more about both of these methods here.
Weaving beads is much faster than off-loom stitches and the wider your piece, the faster it is. The equivalent off-loom stitch would be square stitch which is the most time-consuming off-loom stitch there is. It’s difficult for beginners to get correct tension when weaving off-loom stitches, but on the loom, the loom automatically provides the right kind of tension so that is never an issue.
Warp
The thread or yarn that is put on the loom to serve as the base for your weaving. Think of it as your canvas.
Weft
What you weave into the warp. This can be anything from beads to wool to silk to novelty threads . . . whatever your heart desires.
Warp Coil (or spring)
The spring at the top (and optional for the bottom) of your loom that separates the warp threads. They come in a variety of sizes to
accommodate various warp setts.
Warp Sett
The space between warp threads
Shed
The space between a lowered and raised set of warps through which you pass your weft or your beads in order to weave them into the warp threads.
Shedding Device
A mechanism that serves to create the shed by raising and lowering alternate warp threads.
Selvages
The four sides of your piece.
Heddle
A heddle attaches your shedding device to your warp threads. Used only when weaving tapestry and bead weaving WITH the shedding device, heddles can be either ordered pre-made or you can make them yourself!
Tapestry Beater
Tapestry beaters help beat down your weft when weaving tapestry. They are available in wood, metal or a combination of the two. We sell a wooden version; one is weighted and one is not. You can also use a fork if you do not have a tapestry beater.
Treadle
A treadle allows you to change the shed with your feet, making the process faster.