Backstrap Weaving

 Backstrap Weaving:

One of the skills I learned many years ago was weaving.  Weaving fabric gives one a way to make their own clothes and household items, usually with the greatest economy of yarn.

Backstrap weaving is a very simple way to weave, utilizing sticks for a back and front beam, a rigid heddle or string heddles, and simple combs or beaters to keep the weft tightly packed.

Regarding Veterans, a backstrap loom can be rolled up into a small package, easy to carry. You can "tie up" to a tree to weave. As homelessness gets worse, for both Veterans and civilians, having a backstrap loom can help you rebuild your textile supplies after eviceion or after being "swept".

I have small backstrap looms premade- if you are a Veteran and would like one, please email me at laeom33@yahoo.com and I can mail you one. It will have a narrow warp on it, a way to get you started and give you a feel for weaving. It will be similar to what is shown.

What isn't shown is a roll bar, but I will include one if I have one.  I have several videos up about Backstrap Weaving at this link.  There are many videos on that playlist, scroll down for any pertaining to backstrap weaving in particular.

Refresher-Weaving Basic Fabric

Backstrap Weaving Long Warp

Wider Warp for Weaving

The Kitchen Sewing Table-Backstrap Woven Pull Over Vest

In addition, there are two or three very good videos from other sources that show the techniques and tools.

From El Salvador

Backstrap Weaving 1

Men's and Women's Weaving from Africa

We should not be afraid to dive right in and make our own fabric, clothes, blankets, reusable paper towels, anything we need.

Yes, you too can help.

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My father was a Roman Catholic, and we children were raised as Roman Catholic. Recently I came across the "Saint Joseph Home Selling" kit, and find it to be, in my opinion, not an old Catholic tradition as stated on the box, but almost a Pagan practice.  The idea is to buy a Saint Joseph statue, bury it in dirt, and pray that your home sells.

I have a problem with this because 1. a non-desecrated statue of a Saint should never be buried. Religious items are only buried when they have been broken, desecrated, or used in a sacrilegious way. 2. Praying for money is against Christian teachings.

I have written to Pope Francis, asking that he stop this practice, and instead start a new practice of allowing Saint Joseph to aid the homeless, especially homeless United States Veterans.