Inkle Loom Weaving Level I

ACTIVITY Vertical cascades of delicate stripes, geometric motifs and checkers seemingly criss-crossing a narrow width tape, are common features on some of our narrowest textiles. This type of weaving, called ‘Band Weaving,’ or in our case ‘Inkle Weaving,’ refers to the hand production of narrow woven fabric. This fabric may be called tape, band, inkle, strap, belt, back strap, trim, and more. Historically, band weaving often accompanied nomadic peoples, as strips of cloth were achievable on portable, tiny looms, and larger textiles (if needed) could be produced by sewing strips together. But these bands, so diverse in their patterns and designs, are wonderful and useful in their own right, serving as ties, belts, straps, headbands and sturdy string. The strips are also often used decoratively, to edge other objects and garments. The term “Inkle” simply means “ribbon” or “tape” and refers to any warp-faced woven good made on any type of loom, from backstrap to box-looms. In this introdu