Setting up a warp - #6 threading the warp through the heddles

This article is part of a series of instructions for Setting up a warp.

For a summary of the articles in this series go to article Instructions for setting up a warp.

Previous article-Setting up a warp - #5 Winding on the warp

Next article -  Setting up a warp - #7 Threading the Reed

Before you start threading, check whether there are enough heddles on the shafts and add more if necessary. See article placing/moving heddles (under construction) Right-handers usually thread from left to right and left-handers the other way around. If you start threading on the left, slide the heddles to the right so that you have enough working space.
Hang the lease sticks high enough that you have a good view of them while threading and so that you can easily reach the warp threads. If you use the solution with elastics you can place the elastics on the pin of the breast beam or in looms with a fixed breast beam, around the breast beam. Make sure the elastics run on the outside of the heddles. The side clamps can be useful to give the lease sticks a horizontal support.
alternative method (photo of a megado warp) securing lease sticks for threading buttonhole elastic (lease sticks secured using a double knot). At the front on the pin of the breast beam. (for small looms, fasten around the breast beam)
Check that all warp threads run through the crosses and correct if necessary. Now cut all the loops at the front so that you can thread each single strand.
Prepare the heddles for one or more repeating threading patterns. A threading report is the pattern repeat of the threading. The warp threads are arranged in order between the lease sticks. While keeping the warp bundle tensioned, always take the next thread from the cross and thread it through a heddle. After each pattern section, check that you have not made any threading errors.   Fixing an error later is more difficult!
There are many different types of threading and reed hooks. The Texsolv hook that we use here is suitable for both threading heddles and the reed. (Part number WA0187)
With a loop knot you bundle the warp threads so that the threads remain in front of the shafts.
This article is part of a series of instructions for Setting up a warp. For an overview of the articles in this series go to article Instructions for setting up a warp. Previous article Setting up a warp - #5 Winding on a warp Next article  Setting up a warp - #7 Threading the reed