Ask Madelyn: Doublewidth Overshot

I am new to doubleweave and have been told that any overshot pattern can be used to weave a doublewide fabric.  How do I figure out the treadling, especially when you weave the top layer first with the shuttle, then the bottom twice, and back to the top to finish. Can you please help me understand this?

– Jeanne

Dear Jeanne,

I’m assuming you have threaded every other thread on the first four shafts following the overshot pattern for the top layer, and you have threaded the alternate threads on shafts 5 to 8 for the bottom layer the same order but in the opposite direction from the first four shafts.

To weave Block A in the top layer, for example, shafts 1 and 2 must be down plus all of the shafts in the bottom layer. To weave Block A in the bottom layer, you’ll raise the Block A shafts for the bottom layer so the pattern weft will be placed correctly when the piece is unfolded. You will therefore raise all of the top-layer shafts plus shaft 5 and 6. (Whenever you weave in the top layer you leave down the shafts where you want the weft to show on the face; whenever you weave in the bottom layer, you raise the shafts where you want the weft to show on the back plus the top-layer shafts.)

The complete sequence for Block A with the fold on the left is: Tabby weft, top R to L: raise shafts 1-3 Tabby weft across the bottom L to R: 1-2-3-4-6-8 Pattern weft in Block A, top R to L: 3-4 Pattern weft across the bottom L to R: 1-2-3-4-5-6 Tabby weft back across the bottom R to L: 1-2-3-4-5-7 Tabby weft back across the top L to R: 2-4 Pattern weft back across the bottom R to L: 1-2-3-4-5-6 Pattern weft back across the top L to R: 3-4.

This would be the equivalent of two pattern picks in Block A in a single layer.

For specific information about planning and weaving projects in doublewidth overshot and other structures, you need the Best of Handwoven ebook, Doubleweave, Doublewidth! It is a great resource!

I hope this helps! Madelyn

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