The cost of purchasing a loom would have been considerable, from the 1750s 'factors' working for the Liverpool slave traders would have given advances to families who were struggling to make ends meet. this would enable them to purchase a loom or an additional loom and increased production considerably. Some people specialised in warping looms ie getting the loom ready for the weaving to start. The strong thread spun from Welsh Mountain sheep would have been used for the warp.