In general, weaving involves using a
loom to interlace two sets of threads at
right angles to each other: the
warp which runs longitudinally and the
weft (older
woof) that crosses it. One warp thread is called
an end and one weft thread is called
a pick. The warp threads are held taut and in
parallel to each other, typically in a loom. There are many types of loom.
Weaving can be summarised as a repetition of these three actions, also called the primary motion of the loom.
- Shedding: where the ends are separated by raising or lowering heald frames (heddles) to form a clear space where the pick can pass
- Picking:where the weft or pick is propelled across the loom by an air-jet, a rapier or a shuttle
- Beating-up or battening: where the weft is pushed up against the fell of the cloth by the reed . The secondary motion of the loom are the:
- Let off Motion: where the warp is let off the warp beam at a regulated speed to make the filling even and of the required design
- Take up Motion: Takes up the woven fabric in a regulated manner so that the density of filling is maintained
The Tertiary motions of the loom are the stop motions: to stop the loom in the event of a Thread break. The two main stop motions are the
- warp stop motion
- weft stop motion
