Textile designers, schools, and enthusiasts do not have an accessible way to fabricate or prototype Complex flat woven fabrics.
Flat fabric design is NOT trivial. It is a complex task with many inputs like different ligaments, different threads, different graphic designs, different tensions, etc.
Developed in 1804 by Joseph-Marie Jacquard. The Jacquard loom is a weaving machine that lets the user create textiles with complex patterns using perforated plates that function as guides to tell the machine how to weave the treads[Wikipedia]. Of course, this explanation is vague and doesn´t really explain what it actually does. In order to demonstrate how this machine works I´ve found this video created by Macclesfield Museums.
Most hobbyist and students use simple traditional looms. In the case of our university we use Leclerc Dorothy loom with three 4 frame modules that costs around 1,200 USD
This loom weaves pieces up to 15¾" (40 cm) wide, a practical size for schools, hobbyists, and occupational therapy. The four harness levers may be set on either the right or left side of the loom. The Leclerc Dorothy Table Loom is collapsible for storage. It includes 12-dent reed, 400 wire heddles, a shuttle, a reed hook, lease sticks, two beam slicks with cords, and instructions. The Dorothy is made of red birch with a colonial finish.
In the case of prototyping jaquard looms there are two machines that hold the marker, the leader is the 50,000 USD TC2 loom by digital weaving Norway followed by the 37,000 USD AVL jaq3g.
The Thread Controller 2 (TC2) is a Digital Jacquard loom manufactured by Tronrud Engineering Moss, Dept. Digital Weaving Norway. The TC2 loom is a tool that assists during the “Innovative or the Creative” phase of the making of the textile and is designed primarily for Sampling, Rapid Prototyping or Product Development purposes. Many of our customer also use the loom for creating one-offs/ special commissions (textile artists, for example) and mass customization. The loom is computer-controlled and manually-operated because it is designed to be operated by the creator/ designer/weaver.
The TC2 allows the user to make a perfect quality sample with the desired fibers, weave structures, warp and weft densities and colours – within hours! Changes are instant; start & stop as many times as required, without problems. The point is that with a TC2 loom, you get the samples at the latest ‘next day’ and you get them where the decision-makers/ customers are. One can make a sequence of samples varying for example the scale of the design, weave structures, warp and weft density/colorways etc. With the TC2 loom, it is possible to evaluate the design visually as well as the actual hand or the feel of the fabric.
Set up your final project page, document the concept, sketches, artistic and scientific references
Answer the 5W: Who, What, When, Where, Why
Create a quick prototype of your concept. (physical, digital, collage or render)
Start a mood board to give insight in a first look and feel of your project concept
Textile designers, schools, and enthusiasts do not have an accessible way to fabricate or prototype Complex Design flat woven fabrics.
Flat fabric design is NOT trivial. It is a complex task with many inputs like different ligaments, different threads, different graphic designs, different tensions, etc.
Create a business-oriented initiative that supports a textile design community through a low-cost automated jacquard loom, courses, sale of community-created designs, creation of other hardware, etc.
