Image: Finished samples at the end of a two day workshop.
Last weekend’s two-day Introduction to Table Loom Weaving was nothing short of delightful. Held in the atmospheric gallery space of Fisherton Mill in Salisbury, three work colleagues joined together — colour palettes at the ready — and between the laughs, cake breaks and cups of tea, they produced some seriously gorgeous fabric samplers. Their finished cloth was bold, joyful and full of personality.
It’s moments like this that remind me why I love teaching at Fisherton Mill. The venue itself has such character — high beamed ceilings, original cast-iron pillars, track markings on the wooden floors, and old pieces of machinery stand testament to its proud heritage as a working building. And its multi award-winning café? Delish — AND we have our food delivered right up to the workshop room. Bonus: if anyone has £2.2 million lying about, the Mill’s up for sale — so if someone could please buy it and keep serving excellent cake, that would be grand, thanks.
What the Workshop Covers: Step-by-Step into the World of Table Loom Weaving
Image: Planning warps - Yarns ready for warping - Warp ready to tie on.
This isn’t a “grab a shuttle and let rip” situation. Table-loom weaving needs proper time and focus, so we give it the full two-day treatment.
Day One: Planning & Loom Setup
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Understand how the loom works — warp, weft, heddles, sheds, treadling patterns.
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Plan your warp: yarn choices, colours, sett (density) and fabric width, all recorded in the weave notes section of your handout.
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Wind your warp and dress the loom — threading, sleying, tensioning, and tying on.
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Image: Finished woven samples at the end of a two day workshop.
Day Two: Weaving & Pattern Exploration
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Read and interpret weave drafts.
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Sample a variety of weave structures and patterns.
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Explore how yarn choices affect your finished fabric.
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Weave, weave, weave — and leave with your own woven sampler, a solid understanding of the process, and the reassurance that you can reach out for help when you’re ready to dress your next loom. I’m always available for post-workshop support via email.
With only four students per class, there’s plenty of one-to-one support and space to find your rhythm.
Image: Three work colleagues attending a two day workshop
Equipment & Materials: The Tools I Trust (and Why)
Here’s what I use in every Table Loom Weaving workshop — and in my own studio — and why I rate each one.
Looms
We use the Louët “Erica” 4-shaft 30 cm looms. They’re light, fold down even with weaving still on, and offer serious functionality in a compact size. They store neatly on wall hooks or under tables — perfect for home weavers with limited space.
Warping Equipment
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The Ashford Warping Mill: quicker and more compact than a warping board or pegs, and capable of handling long warps (up to 15 metres!).
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The Ashford Yarn Stand: I use it in every workshop and daily in the studio. It keeps threads organised while warping and even doubles up as a base for my camera mount when I film tutorials. At around £130 it’s an investment, but Ashford quality means it’ll outlast you (and probably your apprentice). That said, I’ve seen some very creative budget versions made from plastic shopping crates turned on end — not quite as elegant, but they do the job!
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The Ashford Double-Ended Threading Hook: small, clever, and absolutely essential. This double-ended hook makes threading heddles (both Texsolv and metal) and sleying reeds much faster and far less fiddly — it’s one of those tools you’ll wonder how you ever managed without. I also have a bad habit of trapping it in my teeth between threading, which is far less hazardous than a metal hook — I’ve got a permanent scar on the roof of my mouth from years of jabbing myself with one!
Yarns
All my workshops — and most of my studio projects — use Venne yarns. The colour range is rich and vast, it washes incredibly well, and is a joy to weave with.
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22/2 Cottolin (60% organic cotton / 40% linen) — my absolute favourite. Soft (for something that has linen in it), strong, with a little flex.
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8/2 Organic Cotton — the same weight as Cottolin, so fully interchangeable on the same warp and super soft.
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16/8 Organic Cotton — half the weight of 8/2, perfect for finer cloths.
Image (Top): Louet looms hanging on the door - Ashford yarn stand - Ashford threading hook. (Bottom): Ashford yarn stand - Venne yarns - Ashford warping mill.
My Go-To Supplier
All of the above — from looms to yarns to accessories — come from my go-to supplier, Frank Herring & Sons in Dorchester. They’ve been supporting weavers, spinners and textile artists for generations and are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. The bricks-and-mortar shop should honestly come with a warning if you dare enter with your wallet — it’s a treasure trove of temptation for textile lovers.
If you’re further afield or looking for other specialist options, head to the Resources Page on my website. You’ll find links to trusted online and bricks-and-mortar stores worldwide, covering everything from looms and warping tools to organic fibres and books — wherever you are, there’s probably a good supplier closer than you think.
Small Groups, Big Focus
Learning to weave is all about patience, practice and proper guidance. That’s why I keep this workshop to a maximum of four students. You’ll never be left guessing what to do next — and there’s always time for questions, troubleshooting and creative exploration. I always tell people that you learn this type of weaving through making mistakes; every hiccup helps you tune into your loom and your cloth, slowly connecting the dots.
Upcoming Workshops & Private Tuition
We run a full line-up of Table Loom Weaving workshops at both Fisherton Mill (Salisbury) and Seeded (Southsea) throughout the year.
If you’d rather something more personal, I also offer private tuition at my home studio near Kings Somborne, Hampshire, UK — perfect for one-to-one sessions or small groups of up to three, whether you’re a complete beginner, revisiting loom dressing or exploring new weave structures.
Image: Fisherton Mill - Seeded - Elka home studio
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re starting your weaving journey or rekindling an old passion, this two-day workshop is a brilliant way to reconnect with slow craft. You’ll leave with woven samples, a solid understanding of the process, and a big dose of creative satisfaction.
Bring curiosity (and a healthy appetite — Fisherton’s cake is dangerously good). I’ll supply the looms, yarns, and everything you need to get started.
See you at the loom!