Words or names can be incorporated into weaving to create original designs. Using name drafting, secret messages can be sent in a piece of woven cloth. By substituting each letter of the alphabet or numeric value for a particular thread or shaft, words can be hidden in the pattern of the fabric. On a 4 shaft loom, the letters of the alphabet can be arranged to correspond with the 4 shafts:
| SHAFT 1 | A | E | I | M | Q | U | Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHAFT 2 | B | F | J | N | R | V | Z |
| SHAFT 3 | C | G | K | O | S | W | . |
| SHAFT 4 | D | H | L | P | T | X |
There are many different ways to design a name draft. Try it out, using your own name.
Experiment with different colours, codes and threadings to create your own signature piece.The following table shows one way of coding using an 8 Shaft loom. Sometimes you will need
to experiment with different coding systems to create a pleasing woven effect.
| Shaft 1 | A | I | Q | Y | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaft 2 | B | J | R | Z | 8 |
| Shaft 3 | C | K | S | 1 | 9 |
| Shaft 4 | D | L | T | 2 | 0 |
| Shaft 5 | E | M | U | 3 | . |
| Shaft 6 | F | N | V | 4 | |
| Shaft 7 | G | O | W | 5 | |
| Shaft 8 | H | P | X | 6 |
Using the above coding system, on an 8 shaft loom, ALLFIBERARTS.com would be drafted as
follows:
| A | 1 |
| L | 4 |
| L | 4 |
| F | 6 |
| I | 1 |
| B | 2 |
| E | 5 |
| R | 2 |
| A | 1 |
| R | 2 |
| T | 4 |
| S | 3 |
| . | 5 |
| C | 3 |
| O | 7 |
| M | 5 |
And woven, this name draft would look like this
Name Drafting
Interweave Press has an article about how to do name draft weaving.
More about Weaving Name Drafts:
More Name Drafting
Weaving this pattern as overshot
Weaving Books: Weaving Drafts
EBay Watch – Weaving Looms
