Name/Title
Tape LoomEntry/Object ID
MHBO0011Description
This is an 18th century tape loom designed to sit on a table. During this time, tape refereed to a long woven strap that had a variety of uses such as carrying a bag over one's shoulder, tying an apron, or even decorating a hat.
The loom operates entirely by hand and is relatively easy to set up. The weaver determines the length and width desired for the tape and measures the thread or yarn accordingly. The warp (white yarn in the picture) is held with a ratchet and ball in the rear of the loom (to the right in this picture) and is threaded alternately through the holes or slats in the wood. The weft or cross thread (orange in the picture) is attached to a shuttle. The weaver ties the warp and weft into a knot at the working end and uses the shuttle to go back and forth as she weaves. She maintains tension by hand. After each pass, she tightens the weft, and then moves the warp up or down for the next weave. This style has a ratchet mechanism at both ends, the one on the left to hold the completed tape.
Families throughout the colonies used tape looms, and in many households, tape weaving was one of the tasks give to young children.Dimensions
Height
20-1/2 inWidth
9 inLength
26-1/2 inCreate Date
December 22, 2020Update Date
January 21, 2021