How do the Amish make Rugs: by machine or hand? Part 1

We thank Kelly D. for emailing us this question.

Let’s imagine that you are living in the 1800’s. Your family has just moved to Missouri from the eastern part of the United States. What are some of the things that your family would bring? Livestock, food, clothing, and many other things because back in the day you would create many of the things that your family would need as there was no Internet, Box Store or 3D printer, so many people brought a loom to make clothing & rugs.

What is a loom and how does it work? A loom is a weaving machine & when used properly knits threads together to make a single piece of material or cloth. Looms date back to ancient times & enabled the users to be able to make cloth quicker with more uniformity.

There are many different types of looms.

• Rigid Heddle Loom - is a frame loom with one shaft/reed which has alternate slots and holes where you thread your warp.
  
  
• Tapestry Loom - a simple wooden, metal or plastic frame with pins or nails or slots inserted on top and bottom edges which hold the strung single warp thread in place
  
  
• Table Loom - are shaft looms that sit on a horizontal surface such as a table, workbench or stand. Each shaft operates individually and contains individual heddles, and the shafts can be used on their own or in combination with the other shafts.
  
  
• Floor Loom - is a larger version of the table loom but uses treadles (pedals) which are foot operated to control the shafts. The weaver quite often sits on a bench built within the frame of the loom.
  
  

Our Amish friends are using the Floor Type of Loom to make the Rugs that we sell. Our next article will explain how the looms work and the skill required to operate the machine. Trust me; if you do not do it correctly you will pinch your fingers like I did. OUCH!

Please read our next article about rugs, The Nuts and Bolts. Part 2

#AllAboutAmish by #MissouriAmish

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