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Lap Loom Weaving – Try Something New Every Month

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failed weaving tsnem

I tried weaving! This is my August attempt to Try Something New Every Month for 2015; you can see my other past projects and read more about TSNEM here. You can see a bunch of tutorials and helpful links about weaving that I rounded up in this post.

I spent many hours in my orthodontist’s chair in middle school, and I can vividly picture the shaggy, brown and yellow woven hanging he had up on his wall. Weaving seems to have become trendy again, with pom poms and looms all over Instagram. I enjoyed seeing April Rhodes make weaving a community activity at her Quilt Market booth this past season too! Alas, weaving is definitely not my new favorite craft (as you can tell, I quit).

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When my parents recently retired to Arkansas, my Mom cleaned out her craft/sewing space. She’d set out this giant loom with a dusty brown and taupe weaving half done, and it ended up following me home. I’m 100% intimidated by it so I ordered a lap loom from Harrisville Designs*, since it was affordable and looked sturdy. In retrospect, I should’ve tried one of the DIY cardboard styles, but I had it in my head that I’d love this and be ready to use my Mom’s big loom after a few practice runs.

lap loom project

I went for small and simple, just to get the feel for it, and I was not inspired. This little bit took me at least an hour, I couldn’t get comfortable with the lap loom literally on my lap, and my arms got tired standing up and shooting it back and forth. I had originally thought that I’d make this skinny strip so it could be a bookmark, but am going to table the project. Having kids has made me ruthless with my free time – there is something to be said for pushing through and conquering a task/project but this was not one of those times. Not having fun? Done!

weaving detail

Still, I’m glad I tried it! The loom can wait for when my son is older, a few friends on Instagram mentioned their kids enjoyed it (it is marketed as a kids toy). Maybe I’ll change my mind and pick it up again, or try a different type of weaving, but I’m not going to force myself to finish this when I have 500 other ideas and projects I’m passionate about.

Have you tried weaving? Do you feel guilty abandoning things? Let me hear about it!

See what other bloggers tried this month:

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Agatha

Saturday 8th of August 2015

I've been doing some weaving as well; so far so good. I think the tension just has to be right all the way through. It does take some practice though!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 8th of August 2015

What have you woven? I don't think I've caught any of those blog posts. Tell me more :)

Sara

Friday 7th of August 2015

Weaving is definitely one of those projects that requires time! My kids have been wanting to try, and I plan to get them a smallish loom like that so they can try. Maybe with several of us weaving during free time we can can get it done quickly, like April's collaborative weaving!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 8th of August 2015

Okay, the idea of 'family weaving' is SO CUTE. Do you homeschool? I can't remember. I have this linked in my inspiration round up this upcoming week, and you might like it! http://newcityarts.blogspot.com/2011/11/third-grade-weaving-part-1.html

Lisa at Mabey She Made It

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

I don't think I'd have pushed through if I wasn't enjoying it either. Free time is too precious!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 8th of August 2015

Glad I'm not alone - and I agree, free time is basically the most prized and rare commodity around these parts at the moment :)

Katy M.

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

There are just some things I suck at. But I at least give everything a good ole' college try before decide that it's not for me. So you go girl! At least you tried it! I mean...we can't be good at EVERYTHING, can we?

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 8th of August 2015

The list of things I'm not good at is SO LONG. Last year we tried a cool garden, made it all square foot-ed out, and grew the most pathetic "crops". One zucchini. ONE! Who does that :) But I agree, trying anything is half the battle!

jeanne e.

Tuesday 4th of August 2015

i have recently added weaving to my craft arsenal. :) my first couple are not fantastic, but i am proud...and as wacky as my first weaving was (i had a lot of tension control, so my sides are not lovely and straight) i still have it hanging in the house. i don't weave a lot yet, as i find it is more of a cold weather activity for me. there are so many lovely weavings out there! good job giving it a go!

Jeanie F.

Thursday 1st of March 2018

I have gotten a pic frame to make a lap loom how far apart r the nails need to b on the top and bottom

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 8th of August 2015

That's so interesting to me, I'm not sure I've ever thought of something as a seasonal craft but it totally makes sense! I really want to make something to hang on my walls, even if it's not a weaving :) Thanks for reading Jeanne!

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