Mirrix Zeus 38" Tapestry & Bead Loom
Want to create very large tapestries or even small rugs without installing a heavy, permanent floor loom? The Mirrix Zeus 38" provides an impressive 35" weaving width in a sturdy loom that weighs only 14 lb.
The second-largest loom in the Mirrix line, the Zeus is designed for large-format weaving: tapestry, rugs, bead weaving and projects combining fibres and beads. Its double top and bottom beams provide increased rigidity, allowing it to handle the demands of a wide warp under high tension.
At a glance
✔ Very large loom for tapestry, rug and bead weaving
✔ Weaving width: 35" (88.9 cm)
✔ Weaving length: up to 61" (154.9 cm) with continuous warping
✔ Double top and bottom beams for increased rigidity
✔ Weight: only 14 lb (6.4 kg)
✔ Standard 3/4" shed or extended 1.5" shed
✔ Four warp coils: 8, 12, 14 and 18 dents per inch
✔ Can be used upright on a table or with the Mirrix Harvey stand
Why choose the Zeus 38"?
The Zeus is designed for weavers who want to work on a truly large scale. Its 35" weaving width makes it possible to create tapestries and other pieces in dimensions more commonly associated with much heavier and less portable looms.
Mirrix designed the Zeus to be large enough for projects such as a small rug while remaining relatively easy to move. Despite its 38" overall width, it weighs only 14 lb, so it can still be moved within the studio or transported by car when needed.
Its double top and bottom beams reinforce the loom's structure. The shedding device makes weaving faster and easier by alternately separating the two layers of warp threads. Depending on your projects, you can choose between a standard 3/4" shed and an extended 1.5" shed.
What can you make?
- very large tapestries;
- wall pieces up to 35" wide;
- small rugs;
- long pieces using continuous warping;
- large-scale bead weaving;
- projects combining fibres and beads;
- large-format projects requiring a wide warp and substantial tension.
Which model should you choose?
The Zeus is one of Mirrix's large double-beam looms. Compared with the Joni, it provides an additional 6" of weaving width. Your choice will therefore depend primarily on the maximum width you need and the amount of working space available in your studio.
| Model | Main feature | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| McKinley 28" | 25" weaving width with proportions particularly suited to long pieces | Large tapestries, rugs, table runners and long-format weaving |
| Joni 32" | 29" weaving width | Large tapestries when a 29" weaving width is sufficient |
| Zeus 38" | 35" weaving width at only 14 lb | Very large tapestries, small rugs and projects requiring substantial width |
Our recommendation: choose the Zeus 38" if you know that the width of your projects will regularly exceed the Joni's capacity. With a 35" weaving width, the Zeus allows you to work on a substantial scale while remaining much easier to move than a traditional large floor loom.
Which version should you choose?
The Zeus is available with two types of shedding device. Each can be selected on its own or with 300 Texsolv heddles suited to the selected shedding device.
| Version | Particularly suitable for |
|---|---|
| Standard shedding device – 3/4" shed | Most tapestry and bead-weaving projects if you already have suitable heddles or prefer to make your own. |
| Standard shedding device – 3/4" shed + 300 Texsolv heddles | A ready-to-use configuration with the standard shedding device. |
| Extended shedding device – 1.5" shed | Rug weaving or projects where additional room is useful for passing bobbins, shuttles or your fingers through the shed. |
| Extended shedding device – 1.5" shed + 300 long Texsolv heddles | The extended shed with 300 appropriately sized long Texsolv heddles already included. |
Our recommendations
Standard or extended shed?
For most tapestry projects, we recommend the standard 3/4" shedding device. The extended 1.5" shed is particularly useful for rug weaving or whenever you want more room to pass bobbins, shuttles or your fingers through the shed.
Should you add the 300 Texsolv heddles?
If you do not already have suitable heddles and do not want to make your own, we recommend the version with 300 Texsolv heddles. Heddles for the extended shedding device are longer than standard heddles. On a loom as wide as the Zeus, the number of heddles required depends greatly on the width and sett of your warp, so 300 heddles may not be sufficient for some projects.
What's included
All versions include:
- 4 warp coils: 8, 12, 14 and 18 dents per inch;
- the shedding device and handle for the selected version;
- 2 wooden clips suited to the selected shedding device;
- 1 warping bar;
- 1 flat wrench;
- 1 Allen wrench;
- 1 warp coil bar;
- written instructions.
Versions with heddles also include 300 Texsolv heddles. With the extended shedding device, the included heddles are the longer heddles required for that configuration.
Depending on the width and sett of your project, additional heddles may be required.
Technical specifications
- Manufacturer: Mirrix
- Model: Zeus 38"
- Product type: tapestry and bead loom
- Materials: anodized aluminum top and bottom beams, steel and copper sidebars, maple clips
- Construction: double top and bottom beams
- Weaving width: 35" (88.9 cm)
- Weaving length without shedding device: up to 61" (154.9 cm) with continuous warping
- Weaving length with shedding device: up to 57" (144.8 cm) with continuous warping
- Loom width: 38" (96.5 cm)
- Weight: 14 lb (6.4 kg)
- Standard shed: 3/4" (1.9 cm)
- Extended shed: 1.5" (3.8 cm)
- Warp coils included: 8, 12, 14 and 18 dents per inch
- Working position: upright on a table using its fold-out legs or on a Mirrix Harvey stand
- Uses: tapestry, rug weaving, bead weaving or projects combining fibres and beads
- Variants: standard or extended shedding device, with or without 300 appropriately sized Texsolv heddles
Care and use
Set up the Zeus on a stable surface large enough to comfortably accommodate its 38" width. Make sure all components are properly tightened before weaving and adjust the tension gradually to maintain even warp tension across the full width.
Handle the warp coils carefully, as their ends may be sharp. The loom's other metal components should also be handled with care. If you disassemble the loom for transport or storage, carefully realign all components when reassembling it.
Why we love it
What makes the Zeus particularly impressive is the relationship between its capacity and weight. A 35" weaving width and up to 61" of weaving length make genuinely large-format projects possible, yet the loom weighs only 14 lb.
We also appreciate its double-beam construction and the choice between a standard and extended shed. For a weaver who knows she wants to work large but does not want to install a heavy, permanent floor loom, the Zeus offers a particularly appealing solution.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between the Zeus and the Joni?
The Zeus provides a 35" weaving width compared with 29" on the Joni, giving you an additional 6". It is therefore particularly useful when maximum tapestry width becomes an important consideration.
Is the Zeus suitable for rug weaving?
Yes. Mirrix specifically notes that the Zeus is large enough to weave a small rug. For this type of project, the extended 1.5" shedding device can be particularly useful.
Are heddles included?
They are included only with the “+ 300 Texsolv Heddles” versions. With the other versions, you can make your own heddles or purchase them separately. Heddles for the extended shedding device are longer than standard heddles.
Do I always have to use the shedding device?
No. The shedding device is not required for every project. Mirrix specifies up to 57" of weaving length with the shedding device and up to 61" without it when using continuous warping.
What happens if the Zeus or the configuration I choose is not in stock?
Some Mirrix products are available immediately from Tisse et File, while others are ordered as needed. For an item that needs to be ordered, please allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks.