Equipment
Choosing Your First Loom: Frame, Rigid Heddle, or Floor
A side-by-side comparison of the three main loom categories available to beginners in Canada, covering cost, portability, and project scope.
Read article →Textile Arts & Fabric Crafts
Where Thread Meets Craft
Detailed reference material on hand weaving, loom selection, natural fiber sourcing, and traditional fabric techniques — written for Canadian hobbyists and working artisans.
Current Articles
Practical coverage of loom mechanics, fiber properties, and foundational weaving methods.
Materials
Natural Fibers for Weavers: Wool, Cotton, Linen, and Hemp
An overview of the four most commonly used natural fibers in hand weaving, with notes on texture, drape, sourcing, and suitability for different projects.
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Techniques
Warp and Weft: Understanding the Foundation of Hand-Woven Fabric
A close look at how warp and weft threads interact to form fabric structure, including plain weave, twill, and tabby variations used by hand weavers.
Read article →What This Site Covers
HarborThread is a reference for anyone working with fibers, looms, and hand-produced fabric in Canada.
Loom Types and Mechanics
From rigid heddle setups to multi-shaft floor looms — detailed notes on how different loom types function and what each is suited for in practice.
Natural Fiber Sourcing
Where Canadian fiber arts suppliers source wool, linen, and cotton; how fiber weight and twist affect weave structure; and what to look for when evaluating raw materials.
Weave Structures Explained
Plain weave, twill, satin, tapestry, and more — each structure explained in terms of thread interlacement, visual texture, and the type of loom required.
Natural Dyes and Color
An introduction to plant-based dyeing methods, mordants, and the color outcomes achievable with materials like weld, indigo, and madder on different fiber types.
Contact
Questions about the content, corrections, or general inquiries can be directed here.
HarborThread
145 King Street West, Suite 600
Toronto, ON M5H 1J8
Canada