My fascination with weaving began while I was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus studying Scandinavian Studies. It was there that I became acquainted with a fellow student who was a weaver. She introduced me to a weaving shop called the “Weaving Workshop” which sold yarns and weaving equipment, including looms. At the shop I admired the skill of the weavers and the beauty of the yarns and became determined to learn to weave, eventually deciding to purchase a floor loom.
Once I had decided to learn to weave I realized I needed a loom! Of course, I had very little knowledge or experience with looms and back in the early 1970’s there was no internet which I could use to research loom types and characteristics. I relied on the recommendation of the staff at the Weaving Workshop and faithfully ordered a loom which was made in Littleton, Colorado. The Loomcraft Loom was handmade and I recall I had to wait several weeks, if not months, before my loom was shipped to me. The craftsman who built my loom was John W. Post. He was an engineer and a woodworker and built looms which he sold throughout the world. Mr. Post retired in 2010 at the age of 97 and, sadly, passed away in 2013. His beautiful looms are part of his legacy and are appreciated by weavers who are lucky enough to have one.
My loom arrived sometime in 1975. By then I was a graduate student in Library Science at U.W.-Madison. Since then it has moved with me many times over the years from apartments in Madison to Menomonie, Wisconsin where I got my first job out of library school at U.W.-Stout. It moved to several different apartments in the city and then settled for a country setting outside of town after I married my husband, Philip. He had a rural property with a renovated farmhouse and there my loom rested, unused for many years. After our son was born and we built a new house nearby my loom accompanied me to our new home but was stashed in the basement for the next twenty-five years while other things in life took precedence, namely work and family! Then, through a relative, another weaver expressed interest in buying my unused loom! I said I’d consider it and proceeded to clean the twenty-five years of dirt and grime that had accumulated on it! But after it was all shiny and clean again I began to consider weaving again. After all, hadn’t I once said, “I’ll do that in retirement”? Well, I had recently retired, so why not start weaving again?
I wanted a loom which would provide me with a lot of flexibiilty. Having eight harnesses and 10 treadles should allow me to weave a variety of patterns. I have replaced the original tie up cord with Texsolv tie up cord.
Loomcraft Weaver 
Do you know where to find parts?
LikeLike
Hi Laura, No, I’m sorry, I don’t. You could try finding a woodworker who might be able to make you some parts. What do you need? Also, you could contact Halcyon yarns which I understand sold Loomcraft Looms and worked with John Post over the years. Maybe they could make some suggestions…
Linda
LikeLike
Hi Linda,
I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. I’m thinking our paths must have crossed many times in the early 70s. I also went to UW Madison and I frequented the Weaving Workshop then as well. I bought all of my yard from them and took many of their classes. In 1973 or 1974, I also faithfully purchased a Loomcraft Loom from them, which I still have. It is a beautiful four harness, six treadle, 48 inch maple. I’ve used it and enjoyed it all these years, but I am now considering selling it. I love the way you spoke so lovingly of your loom for I feel the same way about mine, but feel it is time to let go. I have not advertised this loom yet, but if you know of someone who would love it, please pass the word along. I don’t know what to ask for it, but will take offers. I live in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and would not be able to deliver it.
LikeLike
Hi Marylyn! It is so nice to hear from you!! And I’m sure we probably did cross paths back in the 70s!! I loved visiting the Weaving Workshop and was inspired to learn to weave by a friend who worked there!!! I guess the store is gone now (I searched for it the last time we were in Madison and was disappointed it wasn’t still in business) but that’s life! Is there a weaving guild in Madison you could list the loom with or even a department on the UW campus that still offers weaving classes? There is a Facebook Group (Loomcraft Loom Weavers– https://www.facebook.com/groups/2081006272222567) that you could post your information on if you are on FB or if you would like I could post the information along with your email address to contact you if there is interest. It’s a hard thing to let go, but sometimes one has to, right? I do love my loom and am learning new techniques every day; a side benefit of covid quarantine. Let me know if you think I can help in any other way. Stay safe and be well! Thanks for connecting with me!
LikeLike
Hi Linda, Thanks so much for your email. Sadly Madison’s Weaving Workshop has been closed for many years. I made friends there as well, but have lost touch with all of them. My dear friend Linda Conen worked there and inspired me to learn to weave! I wonder if she is the friend who inspired you as well? You probably know the owner, Lynne Whitford, is the mother of Bradley Whitford the actor. It’s been fun following his career. Thank you for your advice regarding the selling of my loom. I am not on Facebook, but Madison does have an active weavers’ guild that I could contact. It so kind of you to offer your help! I’ll be in touch. I hope you will stay safe and sane! Thanks again! Marylyn
LikeLike
Hi Linda,
Maybe you remember that I wrote to you some time ago about our Madison connection with the Weaving Workshop. Our paths must have crossed there back in the 70s. I told you I was thinking of selling my Loomcraft loom but was having difficulty parting with it. I think I am finally ready to let it go. I purchased it at Weaving Workshop around 1975. It is in great working order but the brake never worked properly. I just compensated by using the ratchet. I am guessing the brake could be fixed, I never bothered since the ratchet worked fine. You told me there was a Facebook group for Loomcraft weavers, but I am not on Facebook. You mentioned you could possibly post it for me. Are you still interested in doing that for me? I would so appreciate knowing it would go to someone who would love it as much as I have. I have lots of extra heddles and include the lease sticks and two reeds (12 and 8). Would $700 be an appropriate asking price? I have no idea. I live in Fitchburg and do not have a way to transport it, so the buyer would have to pick it up I guess. Please let me know what you think about this.
Thank you so much.
Marylyn Stroup
LikeLike
Hi Marylyn, I just now sent you a detailed message to your email. Linda
On Fri, Nov 19, 2021 at 9:24 AM Loomcraft Weaver wrote:
>
LikeLike
I am trying to set up a loom like yours that a friend owns. It hasn’t been used for some time. I am not sure how the rear brake engages. Mine looks like your third photo but I think something is missing. Could you take a picture and send me a close up of that brake engaging with the warp beam and how it works? Thank you
LikeLike
What kind of heddles do you have on the shifts? I couldn’t tell. It’s a lovely story.
LikeLike
What kind of heddles are you using on the shafts? That is a beautiful story.
LikeLike
Hello! I’m using metal heddles that originally came with the loom. They are no longer available though. I was fortunate enough to purchase some from a fellow weaver who had excess heddles and was willing to sell some to me. I’m glad you enjoyed my story!
LikeLike
Have a feeling Loomcraft has closed. I sliced the middle strap on the warp beam, the one that is loop-attached to the long piece of wood I tie the warp to. Know I can’t put anything of high tension on there.
LikeLike
Hi William! I just replied to your FB comment and attached a photo of the strap I repaired by sewing some strong denim material to the joint. Works great. Hope you can fix yours successfully. Lots of good solutions posted to the group.
LikeLike
I enjoyed your article so much! My friend helped me warp my 40”, four-shaft, six-treadle maple loom last week. I’ve had it a year but it was in storage. The original owner bought it new in the 70s and hadn’t used it in years.
Your article was engaging and I loved the discussion about John Post. Thank you!
And I had to smile—I got my MLIS from University of Wisconsin, but Milwaukee, not Madison 🙂
Enjoying your blog posts!
LikeLike
Thanks Tracey!! So glad to hear you are joining the “Loomcraft community”! Do you know there is a Facebook group for Loomcraft users? Here is a link, in case you need to find it. There is a lot of good help and advice from Loomcraft weavers there. Enjoy your loom. You are going to love it!!!
LikeLike
Oops! Here is the Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2081006272222567
LikeLike