Today I am sad, actually for quite a few reasons. Let me explain.Last week I was informed of a sale from the University of Minnesota – closing their weaving dept. They had a total of 17 looms (Kessenich, Nilus Leclerc, Macomber, Klenz and Cranbrook) and misc. equipment that they needed to sell. I was unable to attend the preview this past Saturday and was unavailable for the sale this coming Wednesday and Thursday. I called and spoke with the head of the department, who invited me to come today (Monday) which precedes the sale by 2 days. I explained that I would be interested in 3-5 looms. She stated that I would be able to purchase them and take them home that day. She felt bad about pre -selling some, but was more concerned that all of the looms would be sold. I felt fortunate that she was allowing me to do this.
I am a firm believer in seeing a photo of the loom before I drive any distance to purchase one. The website showed a photo of each loom along with stating its condition and what was included with each. The loom conditions were listed as follows: 4 were very good, 8 were good to very good, 3 were fair to good, 1 was fair to poor, and 1 was poor. I felt comfortable in suggesting to Jim that this was a great opportunity and to be prepared to spend some money. The prices of these looms would only be reasonable if indeed they were in the condition stated.
Because this was a 275 mile one way trip we decided to leave Sunday night. We stayed at a very nice Holiday Inn Express and upon wakening, I felt positive and excited about our upcoming endeavor. Not only with the possibility of coming home with a truck and trailer filled with looms, benches and equipment but to also visit a Weaving Dept. in a University environment. Excited to see a weaving studio that young people would be introduced to weaving in, and to imagine where they would go with this knowledge. Sad to see this department closing because now this art would not be accessible to them. I imagined what I would have done if I could have been in a program like this. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Hmmm.
Arriving at McNeil Hall, we went to the 3rd floor to meet with the Dept. Head. When she introduced herself to us, she quickly followed up with “we had an unbelievable turnout Saturday for the preview, and I must limit you to purchasing only 2 looms”. I looked at Jim, in my mind thinking “well we certainly didn’t need to haul a trailer for 2 looms” and knowing he was thinking the same. “Oh well” still thinking positively, “I can still get 2, I’ll have to be really careful in choosing”.
We were led to the basement and into a room crammed full with looms. No natural lighting and very dreary. I quickly scanned the room for my 2 picks, my heart racing. I then scanned somewhat slower, trying hard to focus on the looms that should be calling my name. “Dawn, I’m here – turn your head – I’m over here”. But not a one beckoned. I found that odd that my loom radar was not working, so I walked to the back and started inspecting each one, loom by loom.
My plan – I would methodically identify the loom from the master list do a quick scan and then write yes or no in its column. Any yes’s would then have a closer inspection. If they passed the closer inspection, I would then sit down and test treadle and test tie them up.
(Please note that I do not claim to be an expert on any of these looms but I am very familiar with Kessenichs and that is what I was interested in. There were 9 of them.)
Water spots, cracked beams, rust, broken handles, major gouges, wood putty filled cracks, overall dirty and tie ups all being changed over from the manufacturer standard, were the norm. I was filling in the columns with no, no no. But wait – let’s look for the looms listed in very good condition. Again, they were all plagued with the conditions that I listed. I could not find a ”yes” in the whole room. I turned to the assistant that was in the room to answer any questions. “These are all in rough condition and over priced for what they are” I said. She stated that ”when the looms were moved to this area the movers weren’t very gentle with them”. I never sat at one loom.
Perhaps I could purchase some reeds. I walked over to the 55 gallon drum where there had to be at least 30 reeds. All rusty. As far as shuttles; there were 3 antique fly shuttles, 1 boat shuttle and maybe a dozen 12” stick shuttles. I’ll pass. There was a small umbrella swift and 2 bobbin winders. A Harrisville Designs – missing the rubber cord and an antique winder. I looked over to the Dept. Head and said “I’m passing on everything today” we thanked them and left. Walking to the car, I told Jim that I would not have paid $100 per loom for any of them. There were major repairs needed and parts to be replaced, before they would ever be right.
I could not get to the truck soon enough. I needed to vent. I wasn’t angry that we’ll be driving 10 hours round trip or spending a night in a hotel with food and lodging expenses. I couldn’t quit talking about what just happened. We drove for 30 miles and finally I said “pull over Jim – I need to get the laptop and type out what I am feeling”. And here I am, telling the story.
How sad it is to see looms in this condition in general, but even more so, in a learning environment. I was sad for the students. Maybe the students didn’t know any different. Maybe the Dept Head and her Assistant truly believed the looms were in the condition they stated. Maybe they looked at the worst one and said its condition was poor and rated the rest accordingly. Maybe I’ve grown overly fussy with the tools I use. The entire visit just made me sad. Maybe I am a Loom Snob.
Ok, I perhaps I’ve grown into a loom snob. But not because I insist on the biggest and brightest or most expensive, I’m a snob because I want my looms to be clean, repair free and mechanically sound. Do they have to be pretty, no, but it's nice when they are. I don’t care how old a loom is. A loom is a tool. I take pride in my tools. I feel bad for the new weaver going to that sale, thinking that they are getting a great deal only to go home with a tool that frustrates and discourages them from learning to weave.
Driving home, everytime I thought of our days adventure - a tear came to my eyes. Those looms were not lovingly cared for. The department was closing and this fiber art died just a little bit more.
You'd think after dozens of felted projects - I'd not forget that you have to knit something giant like - to get a finished desired size. But no, not me! As I sit and knit and knit and knit ..... I begin to wonder if it's ever going to end. This stocking would work perfectly for me right now (almost a giant thigh high) with my foot that is still wrapped in a post surgery dressing to big to fit in a shoe!
After Felting (Click on photo for a close up)
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