Why a rigid heddle?

Let's face it...there are a lot of great loom choices out there...multiple shaft models that are compact enough to fit on a table top and some are the size of a small car. 

So why did I choose a rigid heddle? Couple of reasons. First was space considerations. Living in a two bedroom town home didn't leave me room for a loom that was bigger than my sofa. Second was cost. We're talking hundreds verses thousands of dollars and as much as I covet a Rio Grande walking looms it's a bit beyond my means on both counts. So I started doing some research and settled on a rigid heddle. 

There are many great books and tutorials out there that illustrate the variety of things that can be woven on a rigid heddle loom and they're mind blowing! Granted, us rigid heddle weavers sometimes need to make a few adjustments, but it's a small thing considering all the awesome things we can weave. They're incredibly versatile!

That being said, this is my pride and joy...a 30" Schacht Flip. I have a 15" Cricket as well (OK, 7 of them that I use for teaching) for smaller projects. Right now I'm half way through a set of placemats for our new home in Buena Vista and I'll be sharing some of the tricks I use to do weft faced and tapestry weaving on a rigid heddle loom.