Also known as the back strap tension loom, Loin Loom is a frameless loom which has a back strap, with a belt passing through the weaver’s back and secured around the lower waist. The weaver controls the tension of the warp yarns by leaning forwards or backwards against the strap, while at the other end of the warp, another beam known as the warp-beam is held to secure.
The Back Strap or Loin Loom is a simple affair both in construction and operation; it consists of different sizes of sticks, each with a different role to play. It is neither heavy nor has a permanent fixture and is very portable by nature.
The first step prior to weaving is the preparation of the warp. There are two methods of setting the warp – in the first method two persons are required - with one woman weaver who sits on the loom with her legs stretched forward on the ground placing the breast beam on the lap held back by the back strap, while the other woman (or sometimes the man) keeps on moving to and fro with the yarn. In the second method two sticks are erected either on the ground or by means of a wooden beam with various holes which are vertically placed along with the breast beam, heddles, shed stick and the lease rod. Thereafter the threads are interlaced at certain junctions where the sticks are placed.
There is practically no reed at all and no instrument for measuring the warp for a particular breadth or width of the cloth. Hence the measurement is done with the fitting of the loom simultaneously through ones experience.
Woven threads is a design initiative to encourage the women of Nagaland to sustain their roots by preserving the unique tradition of weaving, while giving them wings of creativity and aspiration and providing a platform to support and mentor young weavers.
