This exhibition explains in detail the development history of the circular loom together with blueprints, parts, and patent documents from the time.

Period: November 22, 2016 (Tue.) to January 29, 2017 (Sun.)

Place: Special exhibition hall (entrance lobby), Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

The exhibition also includes a rarely-seen step-by-step demonstration of a warp change (“warp” refers to the lengthwise threads in a loom.)

1. Cutting the warp threads / Removing the warp beam

Time: Preparations start around 2:00 p.m. on November 26, 2016 (Sat.)

Outline: The 5,424 warp threads stretched out across the circular loom will be severed and the eight warp beams (spools) removed.

2. Setting the warp beam (spool)

Date: January 8, 2017 (Sun.) *Same content for (1) and (2)

(1) 9:50 a.m.: Start preparations; when preparations are finished, begin with warp beam (spool)

(2) 1:20 p.m.: Start preparations; when preparations are finished, begin with warp beam (spool)

New warp beams spooled with brand-new thread will be installed into the circular loom.

3. Connecting the warp threads

Date: January 14 (Sat.) and 15 (Sun.), 2017 *Same content for (1) and (2)

(1) 9:50 a.m.: Start preparations; when preparations are finished, begin with warp thread connecting (connecting together two yarn beams composed of 678 warp threads)

(2) 1:20 p.m.: Start preparations; when preparations are finished, begin with warp thread connecting (connecting together two yarn beams composed of 678 warp threads)

The total 5,424 warp threads of the new warp beam will be connected, one by one, to the circular loom.

This is the most interesting point of the whole procedure. Afterwards, the tension of the warp threads will be adjusted.

4. Test run

Date: January 21 (Sat.) and 22 (Sun.), 2017 *Same content for (1) and (2)

(1) 9:50 a.m.: Start preparations; when preparations are finished: begin test run　　

(2) 1:20 p.m.: Start preparations; when preparations are finished: begin test run

Once the warp tension is adjusted, the test run will begin at last. Weaving will commence little by little as the weft threads are incorporated into the warp.

The weft threads are usually white, but the test operation will use a specially-colored weft thread to create a striped pattern. The width of the stripes will be equal to one bobbin’s worth of weft thread.

Put in your calendars!

 

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