Questions and answers

The questions we get every week.

Short answers, with links to the full explanations. If yours is not here, email us and we answer from the factory.

Sizes

How do I find out which heddle size my loom takes?

Three ways. Look up your loom in the guide by loom brand, use the heddle size finder in the shop, or measure a heddle you already have: stretch it gently between two sticks against a tape measure and read the full length. A size like 280/12 means a 280 mm (11") heddle with a 12 mm eye. If you are unsure, email a photo of the heddle next to a ruler to info@texsolv.se.

What do the two numbers in a heddle size mean?

The first number is the length of the heddle in millimetres, the second the length of the eye. 280/12 is 280 mm long with a 12 mm eye. The 300/64 and 330/64 with a 64 mm eye are ground heddles for damask looms, and the 280/20 has a closed 20 mm eye for dense weaving and precise thread positioning. More about sizes.

My loom came with string or wire heddles. Can I switch to Texsolv?

Yes. Texsolv heddles fit any loom with heddle bars; you only need the right length. Measure one of your existing heddles from bar to bar, match it in the size table, and slip the new bundles onto the bars.

Quantities

How many heddles do I need?

Multiply the warp width by the sett to get the number of ends, then look at the threading: in a straight draw, twill, rosepath or overshot the ends are spread evenly over the shafts, a point twill puts twice as many on the middle shafts as on the outer ones, and summer and winter, Bronson lace and huck put half or more of the ends on shafts 1 and 2. Round each shaft up to whole bundles of 100 and keep a few spares on the bars.

Can I keep spare heddles on the shafts?

Yes. Unused heddles are simply pushed to the sides of the shaft. Because they are knot-free and smooth they do not catch on each other, and a bundle can be split or joined at any time.

Cord and pegs

How do I cut U-cord to length?

Measure the distance between the loom parts to be connected, add what the connection needs (usually a loop at each end), try one cord, and cut the rest between two loops. Pass the cut ends quickly through a flame so they fuse and cannot fray. The cutting cords to length page shows it step by step.

Which cord should I use?

U-cord 1/12 is the standard for tie-ups, shafts and lamms. The 1/12 3-thread cord is a finer version for light looms and small tie-ups. Heavy U-cord 1/20 is the beam cord for counterweights, warp beams and aprons. All three cords explained.

Straight peg or anchor peg?

A straight peg joins cord to cord through two loops, and it is the peg you move when you adjust a tie-up. An anchor peg has a head and goes through a loop into a hole in the loom, so the cord hangs from the wood. It fits a 5.5 mm (7/32") hole; for larger holes there is a plastic bushing. See connecting pegs.

Is there a ready-made tie-up set for my loom?

We make ready-cut sets with pegs for Glimåkra, Gunnar Andersson, Toika, Varpapuu and Curiosa looms, in counterbalance, countermarch and table-loom versions. See U-cord and tie-up sets. For other looms, cord by the metre and the hints on how to use get you there in an evening.

Material and care

What are the heddles and cord made of?

Low-stretch polyester, machine-crocheted without knots. It stretches very little, does not rot, is colourfast and does not wear the warp yarn. Standard U-cord has a breaking strength of about 80 kg (175 lb).

Can I wash heddles and cord?

Yes, in lukewarm water with a mild detergent, preferably tied together in a laundry bag so they do not tangle. Let them dry at room temperature; do not iron or tumble-dry.

Ordering

Where can I buy Texsolv products?

Directly from our webshop, which ships worldwide from the factory in Sweden, or from weaving shops and loom makers in many countries. Shops, schools and loom builders can order at trade terms.

How long does delivery take and what does it cost?

Everything is made and stocked in Tösse, so orders usually leave the same day, and otherwise within three days. Shipping options, costs and estimated delivery times for your country are shown at checkout in the webshop.

Can I get custom lengths or my own tie-up sets?

Yes. Heddles in any length from 150 to 540 mm, cord on bulk rolls and tie-up sets cut and bagged for a specific loom model are made to order in sufficient quantities, mainly for loom builders and retailers. Read more about wholesale orders.

Is there a printed guide?

Yes, the folder "Hints on how to use" comes with some of our products and can always be downloaded as a PDF in English, German or Swedish. Every page of it is also on this site under hints on how to use.

Not answered here?

Email us. A photo of a heddle next to a ruler, or of the loom part you want to connect, gets you a precise answer.

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