The Jekyll Island Arts Association ~ Weaving Guild

The Guild is made up of members who are learning how to hand weave on floor looms. Members help newcomers learn to plan, warp the loom and weave projects. To join the Guild, new members must first have completed a Beginner Weavers class. The classes are held on the weaving equipment in the Goodyear. They occur twice a year, in the Fall and the Winter Quarters.

The weaving studio on the second floor of Goodyear is open Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1 to 4 pm. All equipment is furnished. Currently the Guild has 12 looms of various types like those listed below.

• Rigid Heddle Looms ~These looms provide the equivalent of two-shaft weaving and can be adapted to behave as a four shaft loom by adding a second heddle set.
• Table Looms smaller, less expensive, portable looms are usually jack looms. Sometimes they have springs under the shafts to hold them down. Table looms are good for learning as they are portable enough to put into a car or even on a plane to take to a workshop.
• Tapestry Looms: The tapestry frame loom is the most simple form for a weaving loom. The Navajo loom would be considered a frame loom.

It is not unusual for Weavers to purchase their own looms to have at home, after they have acquired good skill through the Weavers Guild. This group is very social enjoying each other’s company as they work on their particular projects at the Goodyear.