Method and apparatus for reducing weft waste in a gripper weaving loom

In a gripper weaving loom which weaves several different types of weft threads into a fabric, it is desirable to keep weft material waste to a minimum. For this purpose a weft thread already inserted into the loom shed is simultaneously held by a weft presenting clamp and by a holding clamp. As soon as the weft is held by both clamps the weft is cut by a cutter effective between the two clamps to form a trailing weft end (B) of the already inserted weft and a leading weft end (A) of a weft yet to be inserted. The holding clamp keeps holding the trailing end (B) until beat-up of the weft by the reed is completed. For this purpose, the holding clamp moves with the reed into the beat-up position. When beat-up is completed the holding clamp releases the trailing weft end (B) and returns into a weft receiving position (B). The weft presenting clamp still holds the leading end (A). The holding clamp is arranged to move with the reed, while the cutter is stationary between the two clamps.