First cut the weft leaving about six to eight
inches. You can either just leave that length of weft hanging
and incorporate it into the finishing treatment or tuck it
under with the rest of the trimmed ends (if you're sewing
it onto some other object as trim.
If you need to have a raw edge and you don't want it to
ravel, thread that hanging wft onto a tapestry needle and
weave it back into the last two or three rows of weaving
to secure it. This is an excellent technique for making items
such as bookmarks.
To remove the band from the loom you need to cut
it. I cut about an inch away from the heddles. I've found
that if I cut further away than that, the threads can get
caught in the heddles and I just have a mess. With only
one inch of thread to pass through the heddles, they don't
get tangled. Once the band is off the loom, put away the
heddles so that you can use them in your next project. At
this point you may finish the ends of the band. If it is
to be a piece of trim, you do not need to finish the ends,
other than possibly tying a knot to prevent unraveling before
using. Note: Remember to prewash any inkle strips to be used
on garments to make sure they get pre-shrunk. To shrink an
inkle strip, place it inside a knee-high nylon or old panty
hose (or a lingerie bag), tie a knot in the end of the nylon
and toss it in the washer and dryer with your laundry. If the band is to be a belt or a sash or some other item
where the ends will be a part of that finished item, you
need to finish them. Macramé is a popular finish to
the ends as are various forms of braids and wraps. You can
even choose to hang beads and bells from these ends.
Congratulations,
you now have your first completed inkle woven band! |
