Apr 04 2008
The End of the WEAVING BENCH?
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The weaving bench is the traditional seating for a loom and although I’m loath to break with tradition, I must. Handweaving at a loom for long periods is tiring. At workplaces we try to have comfortable office chairs so why not in the weaving studio. Laura Fry’s article in WeaveZine recently went into the ergonomics of weaving and when I saw a chair especially designed for weavers at RMIT in Melbourne I thought it was essential to have one in my studio. If you look at it’s back it allows a lumbar cushioning and support for your back but also allows free movement from side to side.The chair seat is definately a step up or two (or many more) from a hard wooden bench and it comes with a myriad of adjustments so all can be satisfied. The back can be adjusted up and down and forward and the seat can tilt forward and adjust up and down. Of course it doesn’t have any wheels like office chairs; that would be for the extreme weavers. A nice ring footrest finishes off the chair which can also be adjusted up and down. I know it seems the ultimate decadence to have such a wonderful assistant for my weaving but I’m so happy to have it as it will make such a difference. The only problem I forsee is the lack of shelving at each side that the traditional benches offer. I’m sure I’ll sort something out as the trade off is comfort. This special weavers chair is available from Chairmakers in Melbourne.
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I came to the same conclusion about loom benches a few months ago and now use a bar stool with a padded “tractor seat”, foot rest and adjustable height. Far more comfortable than a hard bench on which the pillows always slid about and height could never be calibrated to suit me and the loom.
Neat! I’m not entirely sure about no wheels, though. What, to me, would make it perfect would be lockable wheels.
that looks comfy! I was wondering the same thing as Peg about the wheels?
I wish I could find that chair in the US! My loom bench has got to go! And lockable wheels would be cool!
I’ve used my office/computer chair for threading heddles and have thought about using it for weaving as well. But this looks absolutely perfect!
I bought a loom bench with a sliding seat that works great for me. I do have to work on posture, but when I throw the shuttle, the seat slides over just to where I need to be to catch it without twisting. Another throw, and the seat slides for another catch. With wide fabrics, which is what I tend to do mostly, it’s the cat’s meow. I first saw one at Convergence 20 years ago, so 10 years ago I tracked one down. I have been very happy with it.
What insightful responses. I didn’t know about lockable wheels or sliding loom benches. Seating has all sorts of options.
I often wondered about converting office hairs into a loom chair, but couldn’t work out how not to bump into loom “legs”. Of course I’m so short sometimes I weave on my 4-shaft sanding up – much less train on my back, and I can see far better.
A weaver in Nelson, who has long and wide experience in the UK textile industry, said I could probably weaver for longer hours that way, too.
That chair looks so comfy! Do let us know how you get on with the wheels though, I imagine you might roll around a bit?
I used an office chair for awhile and did have a problem with it getting away from me because of the wheels. I’ve since given it up only because I couldn’t lock the wheels. The one you have pictured looks great.
I came across this post while searching about loom benches. This is interesting. For my current loom, I took one of my dining chairs, made a nice down pillow, and cut almost 2″ off the bottom of the legs. it’s the perfect height now, and the cats keep it warm for me while I’m away. What did you finally decide to use?
I also came across this while searching loom benches. Chair looks comfy and I am curious about the sliding bench seat.
Wondering if the Leclerc Rocking Bench would be similar. Also wondering if this site is still active.
I use a office chair with casters, which is adjustable (which is needed as my loom is vertical) & comfortable, but being a tapestry weaver there are always ends of wool on the floor, these ends get caught up in the wheels. I was considering a bench and making a padded cushion. However, reading this article I will not be buying one (they are not cheap)
The solution is to not be so messy!!