At my internship with Nantucket Looms, I was assigned to be a hand weaver. I would be given projects every week and a half and would wind on different yardages of yarn according to the item I was weaving. (for example 20 yards for 12, for a 50 inch long baby blankets) I was taught how to wind on for sectional warp beams using a tension box. I observed the master weaver, Becky Peraner, as she showed and explained the correct tension, pattern, color, and the tightness of the weave structure in each project I wove. This internship taught me patience and precision while being able to become a fast production weaver. I learned about different color ways and how they would work in different interiors such as colorways for a blanket, dishcloths, rugs, etc.
Another part of the internship was customer service. The weaving studio was open to the public and many people would come upstairs and ask about what we, the weavers, were doing. I learned about the pricing of each textile piece sold in the store, so I could assist in custom orders and answer questions, in person or on the phone. Towards the end of the internship I got to experiment with weaving different colors that I personally chose and thought would sell, rather than producing textiles with colors that the store needed. I learned a lot about running a small, but popular business and quite a few weaving tips and tricks that will help me greatly in my own work.