Today I said farewell to a dear old friend. I will miss her although I know she is moving to a good home. The “she” to whom I refer is my Fireside loom. Her time with me was rich with sunshine and color. We had our moments – all relationships do – but we spent a lot of time together imagining and creating. Here is a little about that journey.
When I got serious about learning to weave, I knew I needed a serious loom. I searched for and found a 54″ Fireside, 8 shaft, new-to-me, oak jack loom. My husband and I drove 2.5 hours to a woman’s condo and managed to take the loom apart in enough pieces to get it out of the condo and into his work van. Back home, we set up the loom in the window of what is now my weaving room and the Fireside and I were off and weaving. I don’t think we ever looked back!
She was/is beautiful. Solidly built out of oak, she has a low profile that allowed me to gaze out at the garden while we worked. Firesides are really elegant looms. Even though this is an older model (much older) built while the original creator of the brand was still in 
Oregon, most of the engineering was exactly what one would find today in a Fireside*. In fact, the current manufacturers (now in Pennsylvania, I think) have been more than helpful when I have run into issues. Thanks to the qualities of this loom, I could try almost anything. I started with summer/winter pick-up for a series of scarves (check out that ror black and white scarf). We have explored a lot together: double width blankets, wide blankets, narrow scarves, rugs, different lace structures, block weaves, twill, overshot – you name it, this loom can handle it.
Our relationship did struggle now and then. As with any friendship, there were rough patches where we struggled to communicate. Yes, Fireside has made a few advances over all these years – especially in the tie-up system. My husband and I finally figured out a method to improve my loom’s tie-up system and our relationship got back on an even keel. Once, when I had to move heddles around between shafts, we almost came to blows. But we recovered and moved on. I also contemplated adding some new technology to her (a worm drive) and bought the parts, but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to cut her frame and she remained in her original state.
As I said, Firesides have many fine qualities. They are sturdy, beautifully built out of wood, with pretty shafts that are light and easy to change. The beaters are heavy enough to weave rugs without adding weight. The treadles are nice and wide to make for comfortable treadling in one’s stocking feet. The low profile reduces the visual impact of the loom in the room. So why, you may ask, have we parted company?
Well, I started exploring at a new level and I have a new friend to travel with me. I love complex weaving and into my life dropped this AVL Doby loom with 16 shafts. She does not have a small profile – she FILLS the room – and she is not easy to use (at least not yet) but oh, what she can do. And what I hope I can do with her. A new relationship is definitely beginning and I am sure you will hear more as we get acquainted.
But this isn’t about my new friend, it is about my old one. I think she has a new relationship budding in her new home. She will, no doubt, continue to weave amazing things. And, I realized as I helped load her in the truck, I am going to miss her. I am excited (maybe overwhelmed) by the next phase of my weaving, but the familiar and beautiful loom I really learned on will no longer be a part of it. Fare well, old friend and may many happy weavings be in both our futures.
* Fireside has a website and still makes beautiful looms. www.firesidelooms.com
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