Using Profile Drafts to Design Projects By Amanda Cutler

Profile Drafts Using the profile draft in weaving opens up a whole new world to the weaver. It’s almost like being the cook in your favorite restaurant instead of just ordering off of the menu. The weaver is the designer. They can use their imagination in how they want to plan their weaving instead of weaving projects that are laid out word for word in a book.

Profile Drafts The weaver can make adjustments to the size by adding or subtracting any part of the draft, while still retaining the symmetry.

Profile Drafts The weaver can also decide what weave they want to use… summer and winter? M’s & O’s? Spot Bronson? Whatever the weaver wants! The combinations become endless!

Profile Drafts Let’s take a closer look at how to use the profile draft for a 4-shaft summer and winter project.

Summer and Winter In summer and winter, there are 2 blocks possible for 4-shaft looms. Block A: threaded on shafts 1-3-2-3 Block B: threaded on shafts 1-4-2-4 B A 4 3 2 1

Summer and Winter Like summer and winter, the profile draft is also broken into 2 parts, the A part and the B part.

Summer and Winter “A” on the profile draft corresponds to block A in the summer and winter weave. “B” in the profile draft corresponds to Block B in summer and winter.

Summer and Winter There is ONE shaded square in section A, that means there are 4 threads for summer & winter. You would thread your loom on shafts 1-3-2-3.

Summer and Winter The next section has TWO shaded squares in section B, that means there are 8 threads. You would thread your loom on shafts 1-4-2-4 1-4-2-4.

Summer and Winter The next section has FOUR shaded squares in section A, that means there are 16 threads. You would thread your loom on shafts 1-3-2-3 1-3-2-3 1-3-2-3 1-3-2-3 .

Summer and Winter Following the profile draft, we map out the threading for the weaving profile draft in summer and winter. Because each square in the profile draft is 4 threads, and there are 57 blocks in the profile draft (57x4=228) you will have 228 threads, plus 2 more for floats.

Summer and Winter Now would be a good time to decide if you want to expand the middle, or any other section of the profile draft. You can easily add what you need here.

Summer and Winter We know that Summer and Winter has two blocks: Block A: threaded 1-3-2-3 Block B: threaded 1-4-2-4 Summer and Winter is also treadled in 2 block increments Block A: lift shafts 1&2, 1&4, 3&4, 2&4 (repeat for full block) Block B: lift shafts 1&2, 1&3, 3&4, 2&3 (repeat for full block) The pattern blocks are each separated by tabby shots tabby a: lift shafts 1&2 tabby b: lift shafts 3&4

Summer and Winter The tabby shuttle contains the same thread as the warp. The pattern shuttle usually has something twice as thick and a different color, but it can be the same size as the warp also.

Summer and Winter If you chose to use summer and winter in 4-shafts, your pedals will look like this.

Summer and Winter This is how I like to NAME my pedals:

Summer and Winter B A If you set up your pedals like this, all you have to remember to say in your head while treadling is: Block A: 1-a-2-b-1-a-2-b Block B: 3-a-4-b-3-a-4-b

Summer and Winter Read the treadling in blocks A&B also. Each block has a specific way to treadle, so pay attention! The profile draft says to use one block A, so say in your head “1-a-2-b-1-a-2-b”. ab1234

Summer and Winter The profile draft says to use TWO block B’s, so say in your head “3-a-4-b-3-a-4-b 3-a-4-b-3-a-4-b” Notice the colors change also. The tabby matches the warp. The pattern thread is a different size and/or color, but can be similar. ab1234

Summer and Winter Just keep going! Follow the profile draft! You may notice it looks a little more stretched out than the pattern.

Summer and Winter The reason why it looks more stretched is because when you actually weave it, the fibers interact differently than they do on the weaving program. They squish together more in real life.

Summer and Winter In order to compensate for this, you need to reset your picks per inch to twice as much in the computer program. (50 instead of 25)

Summer and Winter That’s better! Now you can add more to the center area if you want and make a long table runner.

Summer and Winter One thing I like about summer and winter is when you turn the weaving around, you get opposite colors on the back.

Summer and Winter There are other ways to treadle summer and winter. Perhaps you would enjoy trying something different in your next project: Block A: 1-a-2-b-2-a-1-b Block B: 3-a-4-b-4-a-3-b

Quick Reference Sheet

Moving on… In order to apply this to other types of weaving, research what makes the A block and what makes the B block in the type you want (spot bronson? M&O’s) and plug them right into the profile draft! Choose the sizes and colors of the yarns. Decide if you want to expand any sections of the profile draft. And mostly, have fun and let your imagination soar!

Profile Drafts Credits From Mary Meigs Atwater, The Shuttle-Craft Book of American Hand-Weaving, Missouri Check, #157, page 215