Tutorials

Have you ever woven a cloth that has a significant difference in draw-in between the Plain Weave hem versus the weave structure that is the primary focus of your piece? A great example of this is Waffle Weave. The pockets that make the final piece so squishy and absorbent can have a significant draw-in rate that makes managing a Plain Weave hem challenging. In this blog post, Kristina Nichols offers tips, tricks, and a step-by-step tutorial of how to accommodate for this differential to achieve a beautifully finished piece.

The Clasped Warp technique is a dynamic way to add color play and vertical patterning to Plain Weave on a rigid heddle loom. By interlinking warp yarns at selected points, you create a warp in which one yarn dominates on one end of the loom and the other on the opposite end. In this blog post, Carolyn Heacock offers inspirational design suggestions and a step-by-step tutorial for exploring Clasped Weft on rigid heddle.

Knowing how to turn a draft is a fantastic tool that maximizes four-shaft loom capability while minimizing weaving complexity, but not visual complexity. In this blog post, Madison Potter, designer of the Turned & Telescoped Drafts Technique Trio, provides an overview of how and why to turn a draft. 

Looking for an alternative to hemstitching? Twining provides a stable, narrow edge that can be either nearly invisible or highly decorative, depending on your technique and color choices. It’s also quick and simple to create! In this article, Jennifer Leigh covers several applications of the technique, and also provide a gallery of decorative edging effects using different colors and multiple twining rows.

Weaving is a slow craft, and many dedicated weavers embrace that pace. Still, efficiency has its appeal, especially for multi-shaft weavers. One way to streamline the process is by tying a new warp onto an existing one. In this blog post, Carolyn Heacock provides her step-by-step guide to tying a new warp onto an existing one. 

Some handwovens are too bulky to be hemmed, and some others, a simple knotted fringe doesn't feel quite polished enough. In such situations, a Damascus or Half-Damascus edge is a great option to have in your finishing technique toolkit. In this blog post, Karen G. Krueger offers a tutorial of how to create clean, secure edges using these techniques. 

You may have heard that unbalanced weave structures are not possible on counterbalance looms. But that is not true! In this blog post, Maja Lampa  provides an overview of how this is achievable, and how to adapt your tie-up to make it work.

Designing any project from scratch can feel daunting, and Shadow Weave can seem even more intimidating simply because of the visual complexity of the design. In the third installment of her three-part series, Jennifer Leigh dives into designing your own Shadow Weave project.

In this blog post, weaver Maja Lampa offers a step by step tutorial for turning her Daffodils & Snowdrops Runner into a no-cut, low-sew tote bag. 

Rep Weave is a warp-faced technique known for creating bold patterns and sturdy fabric, ideal for projects like rugs, placemats, and bags. Traditionally Rep Weave is woven on multi-shaft looms, but it is easily adapted to rigid heddle looms as well. In this blog post, Carolyn Heacock provides an overview of getting started with Rep Weave on the rigid heddle. 

In a craft that tends to be very structured and rule-oriented, it can be wildly refreshing to play with patterns and see what other forms the weaver can create. In this blog post, Kate Koconis explores how she uses an Overshot weaving structure to create experimental, intuitive weavings. 

Name Drafting is a method of incorporating a name or phrase into a weaving pattern such that it creates a unique graphic. There are many ways to name-draft, all of which serve as a tool to assist the weaver in the design process and make the draft uniquely theirs. In this blog post, Penny Lacroix provides step-by-step instructions for how she has used Name Drafting in her designs.