Why Weaving Is Cool (& Fun!): New Workshops At Tribe, Al Quoz

Weaving Workshops Are This Year’s Thing!

As soon as I heard about Looms + Loops’ weaving workshops, I wanted to attend. I’ve been eyeing up various hand woven wall hangings for a while and loved the idea of attempting to make my own. The fact that the workshops are held in conjunction with one of my favourite homeware stores, Tribe Dubai, was an added bonus. Tribe is located in The Courtyard, Al Quoz and is well worth a visit in its own right. It stocks a stunning collection of handmade furniture and accessories, ethically sourced from all over the world, including some of Natalie from Looms + Loops’ beautiful wall hangings. They really are works of art.

The workshops are held in a cool, peaceful atrium with the tinkling sound of a fountain in the background. It’s pure relaxation from the moment you sit down. Natalie had brought along a variety of materials that we could use such as wool, yarn, ribbon and jute but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a particular design or colours in mind. We were shown how to string our warp thread over the loom and then given our tapestry needle and beater. I was feeling craftier by the minute!

We started with a plain weave and then learned how to make the tassels which would line the bottom of our hanging. I had decided to make mine for my daughters’ room so chose white, grey, pink and gold and it was satisfying to see the piece progressing so quickly. Natalie showed us how to use other weaving techniques while sharing helpful tips about where to find materials and inspiration. It was pure joy to ignore my phone for 4 hours, use my hands and create something from scratch. Towards the end Natalie showed us how to finish off our hanging at home and I left feeling uncharacteristically zen.

That blissful feeling lasted until I got home, proudly presented my creation to the girls only for my youngest to look at it quizzically and ask if I’d made her a ‘short, fat scarf’! Hmm, perhaps it wasn’t quite as accomplished as I thought. None the less it is now hanging in their room. I even bought my loom for 100 dirhams so my lucky friends and family can look forward to my handiwork gracing their walls in the near future!

Natalie also runs a macrame workshop in which you make a plant holder although goodness know what I’d produce if I attempted that one. The workshops run 2-3 times a month and cost 350 AED include all material and a coffee or juice. Honestly worth every dirham!

For enquiries, please contact Natalie on looms.loops@gmail.com.