The Weaver's Apprentice

Sharing my studio practice in a whole new way

Weaving the tapestry border on my upright loom

For the past few weeks, I’ve been experimenting with a new way of documenting my studio practice.

I’ve always taken photographs of what I’m working on, or filmed myself weaving. But it’s been brief glimpses, quick snapshots, and always with one eye on the Algorithm - what will Do Well Online?

Recently, I’ve tried a different approach. I’ve set up my camera each day and captured what I’m working on, taking it with me around the house for the many stages of creating a tapestry - from designing and making templates to setting up the loom and constructing a woven design. I imagined the camera as an inquisitive visitor, someone who’d come to the studio to watch me weave and learn how it all worked.

The surprising thing was how helpful I found it. My working day settled into a natural rhythm - filming in the morning when the light was best, catching up on admin in the afternoon and in the evening preparing the loom for the next day’s work. The eye of the camera allowed me to see my work afresh, but it wasn’t a distraction - I was simply doing what I would be doing anyway, with just a little more focus.

Out of this process of documenting and exploring, I began work on a new series for this Substack, that I’m calling The Weaver’s Apprentice.

I wanted to create a resource that feels like you’re spending the day in my studio with me, having a snoop around the looms, and listening to me explain what I’m doing. It’s a way for me to share my weaving knowledge as I go - for the folks who’ve taken an online course or class with me to get some extra insight, or for newbie weavers who want some inspiration to dip in and out. You can access it by joining the paid tier on my Substack, and for the time being I’ll be keeping the price the same - £5 a month, or £48 for a whole year.

The first episode of the Weaver’s Apprentice is now available to watch here. I’m setting up my 50 year old loom to weave a new tapestry, and sharing my tips for the best way to begin weaving (even if I rarely take my own advice).

Alongside this series, I’m also (very tentatively) experimenting with longer form videos on Youtube. While I’m loathe to sign up to yet another social media platform, I have really enjoyed making longer content! And I’ve especially enjoyed making this video, which is the story behind my first ever floor loom.

If you’ve ever wondered how much this loom cost when it was first made in the 70s, how much I paid for it in 2015 or what it looked like when I bought it - this video is for you.

You can watch it here -

(Honourable mention, as always, to my long-suffering father. Little did he realise on that fateful day in 2015 that he was signing himself up to a decade of loom removals… I love you, Dad!)

Of course, this Substack will always be home to my written musings - and I still have lots of things I want to write about! But as I’ve said before, I’d so much rather be weaving a tapestry than writing about it. It’s much easier to show you the process instead.

I hope you enjoy it!