Weaving Tools

Weaving Tools || What is a tapestry beater and how does it work?

Tapestry Beater | The Weaving Loom

I will be going over different weaving tools in a few posts describing what they are and how to use them. Some tools may not be completely necessary, however they do make weaving easier and quicker. I’ve also found that one weaver might rely heavily on a certain weaving tool that another weaver never uses, so these tools also are dependent on your style and what makes you most comfortable.  Today I’m talking about the tapestry beater.

Tapestry Beater | The Weaving Loom

A tapestry beater is a tool that has teeth designed to go around the warp threads and push down your weft threads. As you weave you will want to pull your weft threads loosely through your warp threads, then use the tapestry beater to push the weft threads down. The tapestry beater will help keep your weave consistent and tight.

Tapestry Beater | The Weaving Loom

 

An alternative to the tapestry beater is a household fork. When I first started weaving I used a large metal serving fork and it worked great. Another option is to use your fingers to push the weft threads down the warp, I usually do this if I’m working in a small area of my weave. For example if I am creating a shape, I will usually use my fingers to push the weft threads down the warp. Tapestry beaters can be very beautiful but also can be on the pricier side so if you are just starting out, try using a fork for a little. You can always get a tapestry beater at a later time.

Do you use a tapestry beater when you weave? Is there a weaving tool that you can’t live without?

Happy Weaving!

Kate

 


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Tapestry Beater

Alternative – Acrylic Weaving comb

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  • Crystal
    July 15, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    I use a fork! 😉

    • Kate
      July 15, 2015 at 3:12 pm

      Forks get the job done!

  • Spencer
    July 22, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    I use a plastic hair comb, ha! I need to upgrade.

    • Kate
      July 22, 2015 at 8:00 pm

      Great idea, a plastic comb works too!!

  • Kamille
    December 23, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    I thought I was so smart using a dinner fork. 🙂 I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a bamboo comb.

  • Elle
    June 9, 2016 at 11:23 pm

    I use a Conair plastic comb

    • Kate
      June 10, 2016 at 9:48 pm

      Perfect! Plastic combs work really well too 🙂

  • Daniela Gonzalez
    December 5, 2016 at 6:08 am

    We have this 1900s loom in our museum, I want to assume that this big wooden block, two pieces of wood with pointed ends kept connected yet separated by two pieces of round wood in the middle of them, is the tapestry beater. How can we know for sure? Unfortunately the device has no name but was donated to us in 1975 from a family who had it for many year but no idea where it came from since the original owner passed away.

    • Kate
      December 15, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      Oh wow that is amazing, but I’m not sure either. I don’t have much historical knowledge about weaving looms. Maybe there is a historical society that you could reach out to? I hope you can find the answer.