Tablet Weaving Pattern Looks Wrong? 7 Things to Check
Tablet weaving pattern not working? Check threading direction, card orientation, starting position, turning sequence, tension, and more before rewarping.
Something Looks Wrong. Now What?
You've threaded the cards. You've warped the loom. You've started weaving.
And the pattern looks...nothing like you expected.
Before assuming the whole project needs to be rewarped, check the setup systematically.
Tablet weaving has several variables working together, which means a surprisingly small setup difference can change the pattern.
Check the Threading
Start with the simplest question:
Does every hole contain the correct color?
Check your cards against the threading chart one at a time.
Don't just look at the overall warp. Verify A, B, C, and D individually.
One misplaced thread can be surprisingly noticeable.
Check S and Z Threading
Next, check the threading direction of each tablet.
Two cards can contain exactly the same colors but produce different results when one is threaded S and the other Z.
Record your threading setup before you begin weaving. It makes troubleshooting much easier later.
Check Card Order
Make sure the tablets are actually arranged in the correct sequence.
This is especially important in patterns with borders or repeated motifs where a misplaced card can initially blend in.
Check the Starting Position
Your threading can be completely correct and the pattern can still begin incorrectly if the tablets aren't in the expected starting position.
Before your first pick, compare the position of A, B, C, and D with the pattern instructions.
Check Your Turning Sequence
Now look at the pattern itself.
Are all cards supposed to turn forward?
Backward?
Do different groups turn in different directions on the same pick?
And—perhaps most importantly—which pick are you actually on?
Marking completed picks can prevent a lot of confusion.
Check the Tension
Uneven tension can make a correct pattern look distorted.
Check both the warp tension and the weft.
A pattern may become clearer after you've woven enough length for the structure to settle.
Don't Immediately Undo Everything
If something looks wrong, stop.
Write down where you are.
Then troubleshoot one variable at a time.
Changing several things at once makes it much harder to discover what actually caused the problem.
That's one of the reasons I like keeping project records for weaving.
Keep Your Setup Beside the Loom
The Made to Learn Tablet Weaving Project Planner gives you a place to record threading, colors, card setup, turning information, and project notes.
And if you're already staring suspiciously at your weaving wondering what happened, the Tablet Weaving Troubleshooting Guide walks through common problems and what to check.
Made to Learn.
Learn to Make.