If you're curious about learning how to weave, welcome, i'm glad you've found your way here.
I first started weaving when studying textiles at Central Saint Martins in 2001 and i've been enjoying sharing my passion for weaving through teaching since 2015.
Lockdown prompted the creation of our first online course, of which we now have several to choose from.
We have two online frame weaving (aka tapestry loom weaving) courses. Our 'Comprehensive Guide', details of which are directly below, and our 'Introduction', details of which you will find further down the page.
I hope this blog will answer the majority of questions you may have, but if you're in need of more information then please don't hesitate to get in touch.
'Frame Loom Weaving - A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming A Weaver'
This self-paced, online course will give you all the information and knowledge you need to become a confident frame loom weaver from the comfort of your own home.
The course is available on its own, or with a weaving starter kit, which comes in nine different colour ways, and includes everything you’ll need to get set up and weaving.
So what are you getting?
- 20 different sections (pdf's, all supported by instructional videos), from sourcing materials and setting up the loom, through ten different weaving techniques and all their variations, to finishing, and weaving on a budget.
- Weaving techniques for creating texture, pattern and shapes.
- There are currently five different projects included in the course.
- Lifetime access to the course and all future updates, and our Facebook community, exclusively for this course, where you can seek advice in a supportive, creative environment.
- A tutor with over 20 years of weaving experience who is passionate about sharing her love of textiles through teaching.
We're so excited to be building this creative community and can't wait to see your creations!
Course Sections:
- Equipment
- Materials
- Useful Techniques
- Dressing the Loom
- Twining
- Plain Weave (aka Tabby)
- Rya Knots
- Rya Loops
- Pile Weave
- Pick & Pick
- Multiple Warp Plain Weave
- Shapes
- Warp Wrapping
- Soumak
- Finishing Techniques
- Projects
- Trouble Shooting
- Weaving on a Budget
- Terminology
- Resources
Once you have purchased the course, your enrolment details to access the course, and invitation to the Facebook support group, will be sent to the email you provided at the checkout.
Our brand new frame loom weaving starter kits, available in nine different colour ways, contain everything you'll need and more to get you weaving.
Equipment:
- Small frame loom: 25cm x 38cm with a weaving area of 19.5cm x 34cm approx.
- Heddle bar
- Pick up stick
- x2 shuttles
- Wooden needle
- Comb
- Vintage silver fork (beater)
- Bent tapestry needle
Materials:
- x1 Warp yarn, 50g
- x3 Hoooked 'Soft Cotton DK' recycled cotton, 50g each
- x3 Hoooked 'Eco Barbante' recycled cotton, 50g each
- x2 Hoooked 'Spesso' chunky recycled cotton, 50g each
- x3 Plant roving, 25g each
Q&A's
What is the difference between this course and the ‘Beginners Guide’?
This course contains exactly the same information as the ‘Beginners Guide’ plus a whole lot more, covering ten different weaving techniques in depth and exploring all their variations.
It will give you all the information you need to get set up and weaving a wide range of techniques.
On enrolment, you will be invited to join the Elka Weaver’s Facebook support group which is exclusively for students enrolled on the ‘Comprehensive Guide’. This is a safe space for you to share your work with fellow students, and seek any advice and support you may need.
Do I need any experience to start the course?
None whatsoever! This course is suitable for complete beginners, and for those with a little experience that would like to refresh their skills.
You will be guided through all the fundamentals, from terminology to equipment and materials before moving on to setting up your loom and starting to weave, focusing on getting your technique right from the outset to set you in good stead for taking your weaving further.
How long is the course?
The course is made up of twenty different sections. There are over seven hours of video tutorials spread over these sections. How long it takes to complete the course will really vary between individuals, and how you approach it.
The course has been designed so that you can either work your way through from beginning to end (we recommend this method), or you can wade straight in with one of the five projects that are included and refer to the relevant tutorials to complete it.
What style of weaving is this?
Traditional tapestry meets modern weaving. This course gives you a good foundation in traditional tapestry weaving techniques as well as introducing you to more modern styles and techniques.
From geometric and organic shape weaving to techniques for creating texture, patterns and lines, this course will give you the knowledge you need to develop your own personal weaving style.
Will I be able to use the techniques I’ve learnt on other types of looms?
Absolutely! The skills and techniques you learn on this course can easily be applied to rigid heddle, table and floor loom weaving.
Does the course have live sessions?
No. The entire course is pre-recorded video tutorials so you can play them back as many times as you need. All the tutorials are supported with clear step by step downloadable pdf instructions.
What equipment do I need to start the course?
The minimum you will need to get started is a small frame loom, a tapestry needle or shuttle, warp and weft yarns.
The course is available with a weaving starter kit which contains all the materials and equipment you’ll need to get set up and weaving. These are also available to purchase individually on the Elka website.
The ‘Weaving on a Budget’ section of the course shows you multiple ways to make your own loom and yarns. You do not need to spend a fortune to get great enjoyment from this craft!
Will I have to pay the full price if I decide to enrol on other Elka courses?
No. There are discount codes provided for any future enrolments.
Can I enrol on the course if I live outside the UK?
As this course is entirely online you can enrol from anywhere in the world! We also ship our weaving starter kits worldwide, though we can recommend suppliers nearer to you to save on some air miles.
'An Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving — A Beginners Guide: A self-paced, online course'
This self-paced, online course will give you all the information and knowledge you need to get set up and weaving some basic techniques, and you can do all of this from the comfort of your own home.
The course is available on its own, or with a weaving starter kit, which comes in nine different colour-ways, and includes everything you’ll need to get set up and weaving.
So what are you getting?
- 14 different sections (pdf's, all supported by instructional videos), from sourcing materials and setting up the loom, through four different weaving techniques, to finishing, and weaving on a budget.
- A fun bookmark project that you can make your own by changing up the colours and stripes.
- A tutor with over 20 years of weaving experience who is passionate about sharing her love of textiles through teaching.
Course Sections:
- Equipment
- Materials
- Useful Techniques
- Dressing the Loom
- Twining
- Plain Weave (aka Tabby)
- Rya Knots
- Soumak
- Finishing Techniques
- Projects
- Trouble Shooting
- Weaving on a Budget
- Terminology
- Resources
Once you have purchased the course, your enrolment details to access the course will be sent to the email you provided at the checkout.
Q&A's
What is the difference between this course and the ‘Comprehensive Guide’?
This course is simply a shortened version of the ‘Comprehensive Guide’. It will give you all the information you need to get set up and weaving all the basic techniques.
Though you will be invited to join our weavers and natural dyers community on Facebook, this course does not include access to the Elka Weaver’s Facebook support group which is exclusively for students enrolled on the ‘Comprehensive Guide’.
Do I need any experience to start the course?
None whatsoever! This course is suitable for complete beginners.
You will be guided through all the fundamentals, from terminology to equipment and materials before moving on to setting up your loom and starting to weave, focusing on getting your technique right from the outset to set you in good stead for taking your weaving further.
How long is the course?
The course is made up of fourteen different sections. There’s a total of four hours of video tutorials spread over these sections. How long it takes to complete the course will really vary between individuals.
The course has been designed so that you can either work your way through from beginning to end (we recommend this method), or you can wade straight in with the project that’s included and refer back to the relevant tutorials to complete it.
What style of weaving is this?
Traditional tapestry meets modern weaving. This course gives you a good foundation in traditional tapestry weaving techniques, with some fun techniques thrown in for texture as well.
Will I be able to use the techniques I’ve learnt on other types of looms?
Absolutely! The skills and techniques you learn on this course can easily be applied to rigid heddle, table and floor loom weaving.
Does the course have live sessions?
No. The entire course is pre-recorded video tutorials so you can play them back as many times as you need. All the tutorials are supported with clear step by step downloadable pdf instructions.
What equipment do I need to start the course?
The minimum you will need to get started is a small frame loom, a tapestry needle or shuttle, warp and weft yarns.
The course is available with a weaving starter kit which contains all the materials and equipment you’ll need to get set up and weaving. These are also available to purchase individually on the Elka website.
The ‘Weaving on a Budget’ section of the course shows you multiple ways to make your own loom and yarns. You do not need to spend a fortune to get great enjoyment from this craft!
Will I have to pay the full price if I decide to enrol on the ‘Comprehensive Guide’ after completing this one?
No. There is a discount code at the end of the course which will take 70% off the ‘Comprehensive Guide’. This is a reflection of the techniques and information you will have already covered.
Can I enrol on the course if I live outside the UK?
As this course is entirely online you can enrol from anywhere in the world! We also ship our weaving starter kits worldwide, though we can recommend suppliers nearer to you to save on some air miles.