Beginner Frame Loom Weaving Course – In-Person Montreal Area | Tisse et File
Would you like to learn shaft loom weaving while truly understanding what you are doing? This comprehensive four-day beginner course guides you step by step, from dressing the loom to completing your first woven project, in a friendly atmosphere led by an experienced textile instructor.
Whether you have never woven before or already know how to "throw the shuttle" without really understanding how a loom works, this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to become an independent weaver.
Our Teaching Philosophy
At Tisse et File, we believe it is more important to understand weaving than simply reproduce a project.
Our goal is to help you understand how a shaft loom works, how to read a draft, prepare your own warp, make informed technical decisions and confidently weave your own future projects.
At a Glance
✔ Complete beginner course over four days
✔ No previous weaving experience required
✔ All equipment and materials provided
✔ Complete a full weaving project
✔ Small class size for personalized instruction
✔ Course taught in French (English translation available if needed)
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed both for complete beginners and for people who already weave but would like to truly understand the fundamentals of shaft loom weaving.
It is an excellent choice if you:
- would like to discover shaft loom weaving;
- own a shaft loom but don't know how to dress it;
- already weave but rely on someone else to prepare your loom;
- follow weaving drafts without fully understanding them;
- want to become independent in planning and weaving your own projects.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the four days, you will develop a solid understanding of every major step involved in creating a woven project from start to finish.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- identify the different parts of a shaft loom and understand their function;
- correctly use weaving tools and accessories;
- understand essential weaving terminology;
- dress a shaft loom using the indirect warping method;
- read a basic weaving draft;
- calculate warp and weft requirements;
- weave, join yarns and finish a project properly;
- produce and evaluate woven samples;
- understand the fundamental weave structures;
- use sampling to improve future weaving projects.
Your Project
Throughout the course, you will complete a weaving project from dressing the loom through the final finishing steps.
The project may vary depending on the class and teaching objectives, but it is specifically designed to allow you to apply every technique covered during the course.
Duration
- Four full days of instruction
- Course dates and schedule are listed in the available registration options.
Prerequisites
None. This course is designed for complete beginners as well as for weavers who would like to strengthen their foundational knowledge.
Materials Provided
All equipment and materials are supplied during the course.
- All looms are available for use in the classroom.
- All yarns required for the exercises and project are included.
- All weaving tools and accessories are provided.
You are also welcome to bring your own shaft loom if you would like to learn using your personal equipment.
What to Bring
- Something to take notes with.
- Comfortable shoes or warm socks.
- Your lunch if you wish to eat on site.
Your Instructor: Iris Bélanger Noël
After more than a decade working in the fast-paced world of film and television costume production, Iris Bélanger Noël felt the need to slow down and explore textiles more deeply. She completed a diploma in textile construction to better understand fibre and fabric—not only as finished materials, but also as the starting point of garment creation.
For Iris, being able to control every stage of a project from beginning to end represents the ultimate creative process—a luxury of time that has become increasingly rare in today's fast-moving world.
Alongside her studies and professional costume career, she has spent more than fifteen years expanding her knowledge through training in knitting, sewing, weaving, embroidery and many other textile arts. She has also lived in France and the United Kingdom, where she further developed her expertise in textiles, costume design and fashion.
Location
Tisse et File
571 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard
Mercier, Québec, Canada
Language
The course is taught in French. English translation is available whenever needed.
Registration Policy
To ensure personalized instruction, class sizes are intentionally kept small. Course registrations are therefore non-transferable and non-refundable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own a loom?
No. Looms and all required materials are provided during the course. If you prefer, you are welcome to bring your own shaft loom and learn using your personal equipment.
I already know how to weave. Is this course still appropriate?
Absolutely. This course is ideal for weavers who can already weave but want to better understand how to dress a loom, read weaving drafts, calculate yarn requirements and become fully independent.
Will I complete a project during the course?
Yes. You will complete a weaving project that allows you to apply all the techniques covered throughout the course.
Do I need any previous experience?
No previous experience is required. The course is designed for complete beginners while also offering a strong foundation for those wishing to deepen their understanding of weaving.
What will I be able to do after the course?
You will be able to dress your own loom, read a weaving draft, calculate warp and weft requirements, understand the fundamental weave structures and confidently weave your own projects.