What is a Bead Loom Trapeze?

The loom trapeze is a homemade device that helps me bead on my loom using the square stitch starter method. It addresses two of that method's usual drawbacks: the inability to control tension on the warp threads, and the inability to complete a pattern that is shorter than the length of the loom.

The trapeze is simply a 3-inch long piece of 1/4-inch wooden dowel. A long piece of hemp twine is tied to either end of the dowel.

The center of the strand of twine is looped around one of the warp anchors on the back of the loom (which in my case is a nail).

• Review the anatomy of a bead loom.

When I bring the trapeze up over the top of the loom, it replaces the warp separator on the back of my loom. I attach the back square stitch starter strip directly to the trapeze.

Jump to page 2 to see the trapeze in action.

Continued from page 1

By loosening the wing nuts at the back of the loom, and turning the warp bar, I can bring the trapeze closer to or farther away from the front of the loom. This means that my beadwork can be any length that is shorter than the loom.

I can also turn the warp bar after warping the loom to increase the tension on the warp threads that run between the starter strips.

• Learn how to attach starter strips to your loom.

• Learn how to weave beads on your loom with starter strips.