Friday Files – Jacquard loom – have you seen one being built?

The Jacquard machine is a device fitted to a power loom that simplifies the process of manufacturing textiles with such complex patterns as brocade, damask and matelassé. It was invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804.

Prior to this, intricate patterns such as brocade, damask and matelasse were created on a draw loom, where a minimum of two people were required to create the fabric where individual strings were pulled to manipulate the patterns.

Jacquard revolutionised this by using a punch card system — similar to early computers — allowing just one person to weave intricately patterned fabrics. This was part of the development into the computer age.

For more information click here or watch the below video by Morrison Polkinghorne. We love his work!

To see samples of his creations come into your closest BOYAC showroom!