If you know a weaver, you have probably heard them talking about sampling. This is the process of trying things out. It can tell you many things, like how the finished project will feel after washing, how much it will shrink, will the threads shift, how the colours will look together, and many other things.
Unfortunately, it also shows you your mistakes. I am working on a sample of a tartan right now. Tartans are pretty specific, and you really cannot afford to make a mistake and throw a shot of white, when you are supposed to throw blue.
I measured, and beamed, and threaded 240 threads, wove some plain weave, measuring every colour, to check how many shots I need to throw to get the correct pattern. Then I compared to the sample that I was sent, and realised that I needed a little less green and a little more blue. So I cut the weaving off,pulled all but 30 or so threads from the reed and heddles, woud some extra yarn, placed some ends to the side, and began rethreading.
This is what it looks like, and although it isn’t pretty now, I expect that it will end up pretty well. This is the fun of weaving.
Rock Lake Weaving 