Model of a handloom (as used previous to the invention of the fly shuttle in 1733)

Model of a handloom (as used previous to the invention of the fly shuttle in 1733), made 1730-1800.

This 1:4 scale model represents a simple loom before the invention of the flying shuttle. Separation of the warp threads to allow the shuttle with the weft thread to be passed between them, is performed by treadle-operated 'heddles’. The weaver depresses one treadle for each pass by hand of the shuttle from side to side. Increasing the number of heddles and treadles beyond the two required for plain cloth allows the weaver to make patterned cloth.