My new Arras tapestry loom arrived in March and I couldn’t wait to get started. Unfortunately, I had just developed tendonitis in my upper arm and shoulder (!) and had to wait about a month to finally weave on it. However, I did put it together the day it arrived and warped it shortly after.

I was first impressed with the packaging. Each piece was tenderly wrapped and nestled into the box. The instruction pamphlet was well organized with good explanations for someone like me who is somewhat challenged when it comes to putting things together. And it was such a private moment for me that I was determined not to be defeated and ask for help from my husband. Both he and my son are like little boys with new toys when it comes to putting things together and I could just picture the take-over.

I have to admit the very first step had me stumped! I could not for the life of me get those little rubber bumpers screwed in tight enough. No worries. I plunged ahead when I realized nothing hinged on getting it right from the beginning and I could get assistance when everything else was assembled.

Some might not like the fact that the loom comes in parts and it has to be assembled. But I did. It gave me a chance to personally know and appreciate each and every part.  And the new smell of wood lingered for days. It was positively alluring as I walked the hall to my studio every morning.

Some of my favorite features include the tension control system, the sett coils, and the ability to raise and tilt the loom.  One advantage to raising or lowering the loom as you weave is that you do not have to advance the warp as often. Raising it is also very handy when warping since the cotton seine twine warps I use are put up on large cones.

I also especially like the width between the front and back warps; it’s about 2.25 inches which is important to me since I weave from the front. I have purchased the additional bars for my Mirrix and that does give them a nice extension, but I’m not crazy about the use of the clamps to secure them. They are fine on the Zeus that I have on the stand, but when on a table, it’s just not a good fit and I end up removing them.

And speaking of add-ons with the Mirrix, I nearly always order the extra bottom spring kit. However, I found it super easy to space the warp on the Arras. Another shout out for wood.

The shedding device is a very solid and complex mechanism and I love the little “click” as it moves into place. The wooden dowel warping bar (that fits into those little rubber bumpers that had me beat) is also substantial and stays put nicely while warping. The stand is designed to accomodate different surfaces with an extension leg. I'll just add that it's important to make sure it’s level, then tighten securely.

There is also a cartoon holder which some may find useful. I doubt I’ll be using it. It’s a small diameter dowel rod that fits securely onto holes on each side of the loom for a cartoon to hang from. I usually secure my cartoons to a piece of backing like matt board, so won’t need it, but I can see where it could be handy for those that do. I might use it to drape a separating cloth between the front and back warps, though. I could see using it that way.

Have I convinced you I love it? We have Rebecca Mezoff to thank for many of these features. Read her interview with Schacht on her part in it all if you haven’t already.

I know this has been a long read. Thanks for sticking with me. My next newsletters will be briefer, probably with a link to a blog post, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the Arras here with you first.

It’s a great time to be a tapestry weaver. New tapestry yarns are being developed, new looms coming out, and tremendous resources on the internet. I’ll list more of my favorites in future newsletters, but have to mention the American Tapestry Alliance for starters (and Rebecca’s blog already linked to above).  Both will take you down a wonderful rabbit hole for hours!

Do you have the Arras and - if so- what do you think of it? Do you have another tapestry loom you really love? Please share that with me if so.  And if there’s a subject you’d like me to address here or on my blog, please let me know that, too. Just hit reply. I’d love to hear from you! 

Note: after writing this post, I also wrote a post for the Schacht Spindle Co website (scroll down for the review) with a video showing me weaving on the Arras.