I’ve written before about the excellent Gibson House Museum. Today, on a spontaneous visit, I was very lucky to be shown how to use a floor loom… and permitted to sit down and try it!

The last inch or so of this fabric (at top) is my effort. I think I should have been a bit more forceful with the beater bar, to maintain the density of the weave.

Here’s a video from Mount Vernon in Virginia demonstrating what I was shown today: using the treadles (foot pedals) to raise and lower the shaft bars, passing the shuttle containing the yarn through the warp to form the weft of the fabric, and using the beater to push each completed row of weft yarn down.

Right now Gibson House Museum features additional child-friendly weaving and textile experiences. A family visiting when I was there was obviously having a great time, especially when interacting with the knowledgeable and friendly staff.