Mastering the art of weaving a belt or strap with a belt weaving heddle loom: a beginners guide.

Emma and Gillian
5 days ago
5 min read

Introduction: A beginners guide to weaving a belt or strap using a portable belt weaving loom kit

You might be surprised to learn that weaving a belt or strap can be easily done with just a few simple tools and a little practise - this beginners guide should help you get started. A belt weaving kit is a fun way to learn to weave and this blog outlines the key steps to starting to weave with the kit. Included are some handy hints and tips to help you perfect your weaving technique.

Wooden weaving tools and white rope on a surface, with a purple and white patterned fabric nearby, creating a cozy crafting vibe.

What is a portable belt weaving kit?

A belt weaving kit or back strap weaving kit is a simple hand held tool which allows the weaver to create narrow belts. Its uses a rigid heddle which is threaded with the warp yarn. The heddle allows these threads to be raised and lowered to create a shed for weaving. The loom is compact and perfect for small spaces or for taking on the go. One end of the warp is tied to a stationary object such as a post, tree, door knob, table leg and the other is attached to the weaver's body. This creates the tension in the warp and makes the weaving process mobile and adjustable.

Why might you like to try belt weaving?

There are a number of reasons why we feel that belt weaving is a fun thing to try.

A belt weaving loom is portable: The kit is small and will fit in a small bag which is perfect for travelling and outdoor craft

Low cost: No large equipment or expensive materials are needed

Creativity: You can design your own patterned belts and straps in a range of colours and designs.

Relaxing and Mindful: Like all weaving we believe that the repetitive motion and tactile nature of weaving make it a relaxing hobby.

What is included in a belt weaving loom kit?

A portable heddle loom - a TabbyandTweed kit has a wooden heddle with 12 slots and 12 holes.

A small shuttle - this is designed to hold the yarn

Mini lease sticks - these can be used with the warping of the loom

A cord - can be used instead of a belt

Yarn - some of our kits contain 4 ply cotton yarn which is already threaded through the heddle for immediate weaving but we also sell kits without the yarn

Instructions

Getting Started with belt weaving

Plan the pattern - It is best to start with a simple design. Alternating two colours can give a striking result without complexity. You can find beginner patterns online or sketch one yourself. Ideally the pattern should be symmetrical which means that one of the holes isn't used. A pattern is shown below with the top row being the coloured warp threads through the slots and the bottom row the coloured warp threads through the holes. You will notice that there are only 11 holes being used which enables the pattern to be laterally symmetrical.

Two horizontal rows of blue and white squares on a white background. Each row has a pattern of alternating colors. — Pattern - Top row slots, bottom row holes

Yarn - You can use a lots of different types of yarn. Our recommendation to get started would be either 4ply or DK cotton yarn.

Warping the loom - You can warp around two chairs which allows a cross to be formed in the centre. The lease sticks can be secured across the cross which enables the threads to be kept in order. Using the lease sticks does prevent tangling of the warp threads but it is not essential.

Blue and orange threads woven through a wooden loom on a light wooden surface, creating a colorful textile pattern.

Thread the heddle - to do this you need to keep the order of the different coloured warp threads as shown in your chosen pattern.

Attach the warp threads at each end- use either a door handle, table leg or post. The other end of the warp threads are attached to your belt. You should be able to then use your body to tension the warp threads. You do need to make sure that your warp threads are secured at each end as this will prevent you from falling backwards!

Start weaving on a belt weaving loom

You can see us weaving this belt in this YouTube video: Click here to view video of belt weaving.

Put the yarn onto the shuttle - It is most common for the weft yarn used to be the same colour of the outermost warp threads. In the pattern above the weft yarn on the shuttle would be the darker blue.

Lift the heddle - This will raise the warp threads in the holes creating a shed with the warp threads in the slots being below.

Hands are weaving blue and white threads with a wooden loom tool. Sunlit background, creating a warm, focused mood.

Insert the shuttle - place the shuttle through the shed (the gap between the warp threads in the slots and holes)

Beat the weft down into the body of the weave - use the edge of the shuttle. Once this has been done take a look at the weft thread. It might be that the weft needs to be given a little pull to get it to sit neatly at the edge of the belt.

Hands weaving blue and white threads using a card loom outdoors on gravel by wooden fencing. Sunlight creates a warm, focused mood.

Change the shed by lowering the heddle. This causes the warp threads in the slots to be above the warp threads in the holes.

Hands weaving blue threads using a wooden loom against a wooden fence background. Threads fan out with a focus on the weaving process.

Beat again - Insert the shuttle through the shed again and beat the weft into place with the edge of the shuttle.

Repeat this weaving process

As you progress, the belt will build up in front of the heddle and the heddle will get further away from you. When you are ready, wind the woven belt around your own belt bringing the heddle closer to you so that you can continue to weave more easily.

A blue belt tied around a person's waist, with a bouquet of white and pink flowers in the background on a brick path. Casual setting.

You will find that practise is needed to weave a neat band. Getting the tension correct is important.

Finishing your woven belt or band

Once you have reached your desired length, carefully remove the warp from the loom and finish the ends. You can tie them into a tassel, braid them or sew them down.

Blue and white woven band on a loom against a gray background. Wooden weaving tools are nearby. Focus on texture and color contrast.

Can you only make belts?

Belts are an obvious choice but you can make straps for cameras, guitars, bookmarks and more.

Blue and white woven ribbon with horizontal stripes coiled on a light wooden surface. The pattern is uniform and intricate.

Final Thoughts on Weaving a belt or braid

Using a belt weaving kit to weave a belt or braid is a fun activity. The kit is small and portable and is a perfect outdoor craft activity. With practise it is straightforward to weave beautiful belts.

If you are interested in learning how to weave then our workshop page has all the details found by clicking the link here. We would be delighted to welcome you onto any of these courses.

If you fancy having a go at weaving at home then our weaving kits including rigid heddle loom weaving kits are available in our TabbyandTweed website shop for UK delivery and our TabbyandTweed Etsy shop for delivery elsewhere.

If you are interested in keeping up to date with our weaving work and future workshop dates then do sign up to receive our newsletter by clicking the link here.