Ikat is an ancient textile technique that dates back over 5000 years and has been practiced across multiple cultures, where strong visual patterns are created by tying off sections of yarn before dyeing it. The final pattern then magically emerges as the yarn is woven into cloth.

In this intensive 3-day workshop (Friday – Sunday), you will learn the basics of ikat weaving and will design, dye and weave your own weft-ikat cloth. No previous weaving or dyeing experience is required and the workshop has a maximum of four participants, making for an intimate and focused learning environment. Together we will cover what ikat is and its origins, and how to understand an ikat design. You will then work from one of many available templates or create your own design, before tying off the yarn for your own cloth, choosing your colours and dyeing it. You will then learn how to use a handloom to weave your dyed yarn, with your design revealing itself as you weave. Along the way, you’ll understand how different textile processes (binding, dyeing, weaving) come together to create a cloth that is deeply rooted in history. Each day will focus on one new technique, and at the end of the workshop you will leave not only with your own handwoven cloth, but with a broad range of new textile skills.

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Important: Although the Eventbrite booking is only for Friday from 18:00 – 21:00, when you buy a ticket you are automatically booked for the entire weekend. This means your ticket (and the workshop) run from Friday the same Sunday.

Schedule (included in your ticket booking)

Friday: 18:00 – 21:00

Saturday: 11:00 – 17:00

Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00

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What’s included?

• Your own loom for the duration of the workshop
• Weft yarn, prepared to be tied into an ikat design
• Access to all yarns, dye materials and equipment
• Instruction sheets with optional design templates
• Tea, coffee, water, light snacks

What will I learn?

• The history of a 5,000 year old textile technique
• How to create and tie a weft ikat pattern
• How to dye cotton
• How to weave on an 8-shaft handloom

What will I make?

• A length of hand-dyed and handwoven ikat cloth

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About Emma

Emma is a British-American weaver who has been based in Berlin for over fifteen years. She has a BA in Woven Textile Design, along with an MA in Weaving from the Royal College of Art in London. She has worked across the textile industry in commercial design, performance materials, research, restoration and textile engineering. Emma currently works in artistic material research at her studio in Wedding, which is filled with fourteen looms and an unholy amount of yarn.

Emma is a weave-geek through and through, and loves being able to spread her passion for her craft through this series of workshops.