When I rescued my loom from my basement where it sat unused for nearly 30 years the tie up cords were dry and dirty to say the least. I quickly decided to cut them free so I could clean the treadles more easily. I then proceeded to replace the original cords with nylon cord purchased locally. I simply tied the cords to each treadle according to whatever tie up was needed by the pattern draft I was currently using. However, I soon discovered that this method was cumbersome and frustrating because I found myself having to tie and untie the knots to adjust the cord lengths in order to get the harnesses to raise together to the correct height resulting in a clean, open shed.
Recently, I stumbled across Texsolv cord. Texsolv is a Swedish company which was founded in 1977. It makes a variety of high quality handweaving products including polyester heddles, polyester cord, and a peg locking system. From what I read it seemed that using the Texsolv cord and anchor system might make tying up quicker and easier. Here’s how I implemented the system on my Loomcraft loom.
Step 1. After cutting the cord a length which would provide enough slack to work with between the lam and the treadle, singe both ends of the cord to stop the ends from fraying.
Using a match or lighter gently singe the ends of the cord.
Step 2. Insert one end of the cord through the hole in the lam and then insert the other end of the cord through the second cord hole from the end. Tighten the cord around the lam.
Step 3. Insert the loose cord end into the treadle hole corresponding to the harness above. Then insert an anchor into the second cord hole from its end.
Allow the treadle to hang freely and verify that the treadle does not strike the bar beneath it when depressed. If it does, shorten the cord by moving the anchor up a hole or two.
If more than one harness is being tied up to a given treadle, check to be sure that all harnesses are moving up together and are level or nearly level with each other when the treadle is depressed.
In addition to being easy to install and adjust the Texsolv cord is not supposed to stretch. While I can’t attest to that quality yet it does seem to work well thus far. The anchors hold throughout the weaving process and I’ve not yet had to adjust the placement of the anchors. It also makes changing tie ups much easier than having to untie and re-tie up the treadles when changing patterns. The Texsolv cord and anchor system can be purchased from the most weaving supply companies including The Woolery, Halcyon, Webs, Glimakra USA, and others.
Further helpful information and additional methods for using the Texsolv system can be found at the Texsolv website and at Glimakra USA.
Loomcraft Weaver 