What is Rigid Heddle Weaving?
Rigid heddle weaving is any kind of weaving technique that employs the use of a rigid heddle—a rigid frame typically made of wood or plastic with alternating holes and slots. String or yarn is fed through the holes and slots to create a warp.
The most common way to use a rigid heddle is as part of a rigid heddle loom. Rigid heddle looms come in all shapes and sizes, with the smallest ones able to fit on top of a small table.
However, rigid heddle weaving is not entirely commonplace, and purchasing a rigid heddle loom can be a difficult process, both in terms of sourcing the loom, and the high cost.
Luckily, you don't actually need a loom to use a rigid heddle. And if you can't find a premade rigid heddle, you can make one at home, using any semi-sturdy material that you can punch holes into.
If you're like me, and you have many carboard boxes waiting to be recycled, you can simply cut a piece to size, carve holes and slots with a safety knife, and then you have a heddle!
Will this heddle last a very long time? Unlikely. Will it last long enough for you to decide whether or not it's worth it to buy a proper heddle? Yes, absolutely.
a not-so-rigid heddle made out of cardboard; embroidery floss is fed through the openings to create the warp
How Does a Rigid Heddle Work?
Pick your choice of fibers. Yarn is the most common and affordable choice. I personally like the pearly shine of embroidery floss more than yarn. I also find that embroidery floss doesn't have as many little fibers sticking out the way that cotton or wool yarn does.
Whatever you choose, you'll want to make sure it's a material without any stretch in it. Using fibers with stretch in them will make your final product uneven, and will make it difficult for you to maintain constant tension when weaving.
I recommend not mixing materials, for the same reasons.
the end of the warp is tied to the slat of a chair, with the front end of the warp clipped to the seat (out of frame) to provide constant tension
But how does this make fabric? Or in this case, a decorative band?
When fibers are fed through the heddle, they go one of two places—holes or slots. Strings that are fed through the holes will always stay in the same position, whereas strings fed through the slots have space to move up or down.
Pulling the heddle up or down will force the strings in the slots to change position, either above the strings in the holes or below them. This changes the position of the warp, and creates what's called a "shed"; the empty space between the strings in the holes and slots.
When you pass your weft string through a shed, it creates one line of pattern and pulls the warp strings tightly together. Then you create a new shed by moving the heddle in the opposite direction, which creates a second line of pattern once you pull the weft back through. Congratulations, you're weaving!
Move the heddle up, pass your weft through the shed, beat down the weft to create a tight pattern, then move the heddle down and repeat the process. You do this over and over again until you end up with a final product.
various patterns and thicknesses of narrow bands created with a rigid heddle
a finished product, braided at the ends—it's not necessary to braid the ends, but I think it looks nicer this way.
a possible use as a decorative tie for a purse handle; other uses could be bookmarks, hair ties, ribbons for giftwrapping, etc.
The practical uses for narrow bands made this way are mostly decorative. You can use it to pretty up an accessory, tie your hair, or use a longer, thicker band as a belt for a dress or a high-waisted pair of pants. I think they also make as a nice finishing touch on wrapped presents, or to tie the handles of a gift bag together.
While there may not be much practical merit to weaving together narrow bands as opposed to just purchasing something pre-made, I think it's important to make things with your own hands when you have the chance. Not only is it good to learn a new skill, but working with your hands can be meditative.
Or, in my case, it gives me something to fidget with while I toss on something to watch in the background.
