Moving a (Vintage) Loom: Tips From a Fellow Weaver
Moving a (Vintage) Loom: Tips From a Fellow Weaver
At some point, most weavers have to move a loom.
Maybe you’re relocating. Maybe you found a used loom on Marketplace and need to get it home. Either way, moving weaving equipment can feel intimidating and slightly overwhelming. Our craft involves real equipment - heavy, mechanical, and often deeply sentimental.
I recently moved all of my looms and weaving equipment into my new home studio. Every situation is different, but here’s my experience and what I learned along the way. I hope it helps you!
Do Research
If you bought your loom new, you’ve assembled it once before - that definitely helps! If you bought it used, this is a really good time to learn and really understand all the parts of your loom and how it works. I cannot stress this enough! Take the time to learn your loom, trust me on this.
I won’t go into loom types here (there are plenty of articles that do), but Google can help you find manufacturer manuals, assembly videos, and brand-specific groups or forums. That information alone can be game-changing! You may need to do things differently and my specific experience may not apply to you.
I was lucky to still have the original typewritten manual (copyright 1995!) for my Harrisville Designs 40" 8-shaft loom. Harrisville also has excellent assembly videos online since they sell their looms in kit form. Knowing how your loom operates makes taking it apart far less intimidating.
The original paperwork from my HD Loom
Assess the Move
Moving my Schacht Baby Wolf was easy. It’s a jack-style loom, relatively small and lightweight - and it even has wheels!
My 40", 8-shaft Harrisville Designs loom was not as straightforward. It’s heavy and awkward, operates with suspended harnesses, and needed to go up a flight of curved stairs. I briefly considered hiring movers (I even looked into piano movers) but ultimately decided to break it down myself and make it as light as possible.
Before you begin, think through your vehicle, available help for lifting, doorways, staircases, and whether you may need to tip the loom on its side. Tipping isn’t generally recommended, and I found mixed opinions about it, but sometimes logistics make the decision for you. These details will determine how far you need to disassemble.
Decide What Not to Take Apart
My main goal was to reduce weight without completely dismantling the cable system. Re-threading and recalibrating everything felt overwhelming, daunting and time-consuming…
So I removed all eight harnesses, the treadles, the back beam, the feet, and the beater. My biggest a-ha moment (which came over a sushi dinner!) was using small bungee cords in place of the harness weight to keep tension on the cables and keep them in position. Everything stayed intact, and the loom became dramatically lighter. My husband and I were able to turn the loom on its side and fit it into our SUV without disturbing the cable system.
A view from the top of my loom - how small bungee cords saved the day!
When I first acquired this loom years ago, we kept the harnesses on, secured them to the castle, shrink-wrapped the entire frame, and loaded it into a pickup truck. That worked beautifully at the time. This move required a different strategy. Take the time upfront to think it through.
Photograph and Video Everything
Before removing a single bolt, I took photos and short videos from multiple angles. I documented all the cable paths, tie-ups, beam placement, hardware positions, etc. You will not remember it all later. Trust me. Time is the biggest eraser. And, if you can reassemble sooner rather than later, everything will feel much fresher in your memory.
Keep Hardware Organized
As I removed parts, I screwed bolts back into their original holes (I did not just throw it all in a ziplock!) I also used blue painter’s tape to label parts and marked orientation - front and back, top and bottom. It takes a few extra minutes and saves hours of frustration later.
Use the Opportunity to Deep Clean
Thirty years of dust had settled into places I could never reach during regular maintenance. With the loom partially disassembled, I was able to clean thoroughly, wipe down the wood, getting into all the tiny corners and cable channels I normally can’t access. It felt really good to deep clean it before setting it up again.
A Side Note About Stash
Most of us tend to acquire a stash of yarn along our weaving journey (I know I sure did!). I used the opportunity to downsize my yarn collection tremendously, donating yarn that I was no longer interested in weaving with. We have a local non-profit that accepts all sorts of materials that can be upcycled and used creatively.
Expect Some Emotion
Heirloom looms carry weight beyond their wood and metal. I felt all the feelings. I’ve shared before how I promised the previous owner’s son that I would take good care of this loom. That matters so much to me. I was worried about damaging something irreplaceable. I doubted my ability to put it all back together. And I realized how protective I felt over a tool that has woven so much - for Marie, and now for me.
I reached out to other weavers in the Harrisville Designs Loom Facebook group. They shared practical advice about moving, including using furniture blankets, shrink wrap, and securing moving parts, but most of all they reassured me that I could absolutely reassemble it. That confidence boost meant more than they probably realized!
Final Thoughts
Moving a loom is logistical, mechanical, and a little emotional. But it’s also empowering. Taking your loom apart thoughtfully deepens your understanding of how it works, and will give you a new appreciation for your craft. And when it’s standing again in its new space - beams aligned, harnesses hanging in perfect tension - thowing that first pick feels especially satisfying.
You got this! Plan carefully. Label everything. Take all the photos. You and your loom will be reunited and weave again! Good luck!
Reassembled and ready to weave!