Sunday, December 26, 2010

All things old and new

One people, many Woven Voices
The close of each year is a time for reflection. On the dusk of 2010, I find myself feeling BIG gratitude for the weaving community. In two days I will be leaving for Cape Town South Africa. While there I will be sharing the 130 community woven prayer flags. Read more about this project on the blog "Woven Voices".

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all you wonderful weavers out there who have sent such kind words for my efforts with this Macomber Looms blog.

1937 Midget portable loom
So this month, here's a little treat for you..some Macomber memorabilia for you!

1954 24" 8H CP loom
This is an early photo of the CP loom. 1937! As you can see today's CP is not a whole lot different!









The Macomber-Hart family kindly shared the company photo album with me. So I have a whole pictorial history of the development of these looms.

Harriet Tidball 1953 threading her Macomber
Not only does the photo album contain images of early looms and the loom builders, but of the famous and not-so famous weavers who used them.















Look at this photo of Harriet Tidball, well known weaver and author of several books and monographs.



1937 56" B4 Loom with Rotary Fly Shuttle






Along with the photos there are several newspaper clippings. Here's my favorite ~

So sit down, weave yourself a suit...find some peace of mind, some joy and personal satisfaction. The world will be a  better place.

I will be away from my phone and my computer until late February. If there are any Macomber parts or loom orders that cannot wait, please call my house and my husband will help you connect with the shop to place your orders. 

The house number is 207-351-1985.  Thanks to all of you for your orders!

There may be smidgens of time that I have Internet capability, but I am not counting on it. So here's wishing each of you a prosperous and peace-filled New Year!

Peace ~ Sarah

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Meet Mac

"Mac"
"Hi Sarah!
 I read your last post and wanted to tell you about my loom. First of all, it's definitely male. I'm not really sure why but I've always thought of it as a boy. His name is Mac. (Probably not very original) But I love my loom very much.


"Mac from the back"
I bought Mac used from a man in KY (I am in TN) for $400! He's a B4-D model. At first I had issues getting used to how Macs work. I had only woven on Leclerc Niluses at school and so adjusting to a different make of loom was a bit of a challenge. I can't imagine how I ever wove happily on a Leclerc now. I've had Mac for almost two years now and I am SO happy that I decided to buy a Macomber. The man I bought him from also had a Leclerc for sale and I had considered buying that instead. I'm glad I listened to my weaving instructor and bought a Macomber! Mac is an older loom (I believe when I sent you the serial number you said it was made around 1970) but he's just as rugged and wonderful I'm sure as when he was first made.

I attached pictures of Mac and of the table runner I just took of my loom last week. :) I'm so glad to know that other weavers love their looms just as much as I do. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my story.
"
JoAnna's table runner
JoAnna in TN

24" 8 Harness CPJ Macomber for sale

  24" 8 Harness Macomber CPJ Portable Loom for sale. Double back beams with friction brake and warp separator. 4 reeds, storage box, 2 ...