Day 75: While it is theoretically possible to use a boat shuttle on a loom without a race on the front of the beater bar, my experience with trying it did not end on a positive note. I've owned five (?) large looms in my life, and Daisy is the first one to have that "ledge." The threads in the lower portion of the shed should rest on it so that the shuttle can glide smoothly over them when thrown along the race. It takes a bit of practice, and as I learned quickly, Daisy is a very sensitive lady. If I rest a foot on the next treadle to be used as I have gotten in the habit of doing over the years, it may bring threads from a different shed into play. I'm developing a technique of sliding my inactive foot back as the active foot depresses the desired treadle, but sometimes my timing gets a little off and I throw the shuttle before the shed is "clean." Picking out an erroneous throw is not as easy with a boat shuttle as it is with a stick shuttle, believe me! That said, a boat shuttle is faster. I already have a foot woven on the first towel in this trial run. Like people, every loom has its own character which may be why so many of us name them. I'm learning Daisy's peculiarities and personality quickly, and I expect to spend many happy years with her.
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