Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Fiber tools: loom reeds

  • wcu_craft_revival-6108.jpg
  • A reed such as this fits into the beater on a loom and keeps the warp evenly spaced. This determines the thread count or ends per inch (EPI). It is moved toward the weaver to pack the weft thread into place. These reeds used string to establish the space between pieces of wood. The warp thread passes through each slit or dent. Weavers changed out reeds to create a variety of EPI. These reeds were collected by Ayleene Bryan and donated to the Southern Highland Craft Guild. These reeds date to the 1800s; their creator is unknown.