shuttle. The weaver should make one pass with the shuttle with each opening of a shed through the raising and lowering of threads. There are other more advanced techniques in which, instead of merely allowing warp threads to alternate in their up or down positions, individual threads are brought to the surface to form what is called a "pick up" pattern. One side of the band will show the exposed surfaces of warp threads while, on the other side of the pattern, the weft thread will be visible. Using a supplemental weft thread that will come up over the top of certain warp threads, brocaded designs can also be worked into the inkle band. An inkle loom is also useful in the practice of tablet weaving for its added portability. The warp is threaded onto the loom as in inkle weaving, but weaving cards are used instead of alternating between free-hanging and heddle-secured yarn. Tape History Handwoven tape was very important in Europe starting in the 1500s. This need for tape was also evident in the US, from the colonial period to the mid-1900s. It was used to tie and tie up clothing such as hosiery, tie pockets to garments, serve as candle wicks, ties for grain and feed bags, and other household uses. Many farm households had tape looms, which may well have been built by a family member. Equipment Because tape looms in their heyday were not mass produced, they took a wide variety of forms, most designed to be easily portable. There were types that were indicative of a certain geographic area. In Scandinavia, paddle-like hole and slot heddles were common, they were also found in colonial America. The earliest form of these rigid heddles is as a part of a backstrap set-up. This form of weaving has been used in Africa, South America, and Mexico. Box looms housing a rigid heddle were found in colonial America and in England in particular. Band uses Bands can be used as bookmarks, trim, belts, cords for jewelry, bag straps and more.Re-enactors use woven tape for garment ties and drawstrings, as well as other uses such as tying bundles. Inkle bands are quite strong and can be used in applications where a flat band is desired. Popular modern uses are guitar and camera straps, or, for particularly narrow bands, colorful shoelaces. Traditionally, inkle bands also served as belts and reins.