Building and Weaving on a Mayan Backstrap Loom – Workshop with Sari Monroy-Solis
Building and Weaving on a Mayan Backstrap Loom - Workshop with Sari Monroy-Solis
Class Title/Teacher: Building and Weaving on a Mayan Backstrap Loom WITH Sari Monroy-Solis
Tuition: $250/Members $270/Non-Members
Class Dates: July 12 – July 13, 2025
Times: 9:30am – 4:30pm
REGISTER HERE
Class Description: Learn the fundamentals of making and using a Mayan backstrap loom! The backstrap loom is one of the oldest Indigenous technologies in the world and is still used to make some of the longest-lasting clothing. Besides being a very portable loom, it is of cultural significance to the Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica and the Andes. Even today, Mayan weavers continue to make their everyday textiles with this loom.
In this weekend’s immersion, you will learn the history of the backstrap loom and how to build and weave with this loom. Students will learn techniques specific to where the teacher’s family is from – San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Sacatepequez, Guatemala. On Saturday, you will learn to warp and build a small backstrap loom to weave a small belt or strap. On Sunday, you will learn to weave on a wider backstrap loom that has been pre-warped for you and is also for you to take home.
The class will cover the history of the loom, how the body connects to the loom, the parts of the loom, and how to do plain and brocade weaving. Throughout these steps, you will learn these motifs’ names and origins and understand how to design your own patterns.
Ready to start weaving? This class will focus on simplifying the process so you can learn to weave on the backstrap loom. After the workshop, you will have access to a series of teaching videos that Sari has created so you can refresh and continue your learning at home.
Materials Included: 1) all necessary materials for making a small backstrap loom on Saturday; 2) a fully warped and ready loom for Sunday that you will also take home