Image credit: ARTSTHREAD member & Global Design Graduate Show 2021 in collaboration with Gucci Knit/Weave Category Shortlisted, Anya Molyviatis

Interested in a career in weaving? ARTS THREAD’s career education specialist and digital editor Jacqui Rudd has lots of advice and tips on how to become a textiles weaver as part of ARTSTHREAD’s Creative Career Guides Series.

Weaving is a varied medium that can be used to create wall art, sculptures, installations, interior products and wearable art such as fashion products. Weavers set up and operate hand and power operated looms and machines to weave fibre into pieces of work. Although weaving is known as a traditional craft technique with a long history, the process has evolved and is now used not just for textiles production but also in areas such as political art, installations and medium for sustainability and activism.

For an insider perspective on a career in weaving check out our interviews with: Sanya Sharma, Anubha Sood and Siobhan Martin.

Career Options in Textiles Weaving

Textiles Artist/Designer specialising in Weaving
The majority of professional weavers are self-employed and work in studios to design and create their pieces of work. They sell independently through their own store, online shop and pop-up events and, as this discipline of work is used by both artists and makers, you can find weavers' work being sold in galleries as well as with retailers.

Weaving Teacher / Technician 
Teaching is another possible career path for weaving. Schools, colleges and universities often hire textiles professionals to teach classes, or as technicians, and some weavers may be able to give private lessons. Additionally, some museums and galleries hire textile artists for workshops and demonstrations.

Studio Assistant/Manager
You could support a more established textiles designer/artist with their business, by working as their studio assistant or manager and helping with the production of their work. This is a great way to develop your skills and understanding of how to start and run a business in textiles.

Manufacturing
Textiles manufacturers are a great employed option for weavers, they work in a factory or small workshop settings on textiles production by weaving looms to manufacture woven fabrics and materials.

What you need to become a Weaver

Although qualifications aren’t essential to starting a career in textiles, and some weavers can learn their skills on their own, formal education or training can be enormously helpful. Many textiles artists will study degrees in areas such as applied arts, textiles, fashion and textiles, craft, design or 3D design.

Studying textiles at an undergraduate or postgraduate level might help you hone practical skills, gain career support, network within the industry, and develop your practice. However, further education institutes also provide a variety of suitable courses to develop weaving skills. Additionally, you can find many textiles apprenticeships to develop your practice.

Many forms of creative education, including weaving, can be achieved alongside part-time work as you develop towards your dream career.

Building a specialist portfolio in Weaving

Creating a portfolio is all about showcasing your best work, your skills, the techniques you use and what you can offer potential clients, customers, employers and collaborators. While training and developing your skills you will also create your own style as a weaver, what techniques you like to utilise and a collection of work will evolve. When you’re putting together a portfolio of your work, consider the context and purpose first.

Portfolio for Applications – for residencies or postgraduate study

Through your pieces and portfolio, tell a story of how you developed your collection, your influences and where your work will go next.

Online Portfolio – to sell pieces of work or attract commissions

Highlight pieces that showcase your best work, skills you are developing and what you can offer to customers and clients. This can be displayed on your own website or through an ARTSTHREAD member free profile.

Build a portfolio of work from:

• Projects you complete over your training and qualifications


• Experimenting in the studio and creating work for sale at markets and shops


• Participating in contests, awards and competitions


• Get pictures of your work on exhibition at galleries and trade fairs


• Taking on commissions from clients

Here are some brilliant examples of textile weave portfolios by ARTSTHREAD members: Global Design Graduate Show 2021 in collaboration with Gucci Knit/Weave Category Winner Sina Dyks and Shortlisted Erin Mcquarrie, Anya Molyviatis & Elvira Jönsson.


For postgraduate applications check out our other guide Preparing Your Portfolio For Postgraduate Application.

Tips for starting a Career in Textiles Weaving

• Always create samples. This is a great way to achieve the idea you have in your mind while saving you time and disappointment. 


• Create a space dedicated to weaving. Having to set up and dismantle every time you want to weave will take up your valuable time and discourage you.


• Keep in touch with your tutors, trainers and peers to help build a community around your work and people you can turn to for advice.


• Always remember to double-check your warp length and width calculations and yarn amounts.


• Keep a record of projects and sample notes so you can refer back to them.


• Showcase your work online, on social media and include video into your content.


• Apply for awards and competitions when relevant, winning or being shortlisted can really support building your brand and is great PR.


• Allow yourself time to experiment with new techniques and materials and stay creative.

Example Q&As

For an insider perspective on a career in weaving check out our interviews with:

Sanya Sharma on creating interactive spatial experiences through weaving and her advice for anyone interested in a career weaving textiles.

Anubha Sood, the winner of the Sustainable Design category judges vote in the Global Design Graduate Show 2020 in collaboration with Gucci.

Siobhan Martin on her crowdfunding journey for her weaving textiles business Shiv Textiles.