Weave Your Own Coat Workshop
From your first weave to a professionally tailored coat made from cloth you have woven entirely by hand.
£900 · No previous weaving experience required
Weave Your Own Coat is a supported handweaving and tailoring programme at Freeweaver Studio.
Beginning with the design of your coat, you'll choose your materials, colours and pattern before learning to weave on one of our Japanese floor looms. Over a series of studio visits, you'll create approximately 6½ metres of your own cloth, with support from the studio throughout.
Once your weaving is complete, your cloth is sent to our tailor's atelier in North London, where it is professionally cut and made into your coat before returning to Freeweaver Studio for collection.
1. Design your coat
Your project begins with a dedicated design consultation at Freeweaver Studio.
We'll look at previous Freeweaver coats and explore material samples, warp options, colours, patterns, linings and different possibilities for your handwoven cloth.
You'll also decide on the shape of your coat. You can recreate a coat you already own, bring a commercial pattern you'd like to use, or select from the studio's collection of patterns.
Together we'll develop a clear design for your finished garment and establish how much cloth your particular coat will require. Around 6½ metres is typical, although this may vary depending on the pattern, size and design.
Any specialist yarns, linings, fastenings or other additional materials can also be discussed and sourced at this stage.
2. Learn to weave
If you haven't woven with us before, the programme includes our full Introduction to Weaving on a Japanese Floor Loom, normally £150.
You'll learn how to use the loom and begin exploring colour, texture and material before starting the cloth for your coat.
No previous weaving experience is required.
For those who would like to be involved in the process from the very beginning, the programme can also include an optional warp-making workshop, normally £150, in which you'll prepare the warp for your own project.
3. Weave your cloth
You'll then begin creating the full length of handwoven cloth for your coat.
This isn't something that needs to be completed in a single workshop. You can return to Freeweaver during our regular studio days, Wednesday to Sunday, and build your cloth gradually over a series of weaving sessions.
Some people will work quickly; others will take their time. The point is to allow the cloth to develop through the process of weaving rather than rushing towards a predetermined result. We ask that participants aim to finish weaving within 4 weeks from the start date.
You'll have access to the studio and support as your project develops, all the way through to completing the cloth required for your garment.
4. From cloth to coat
When the weaving is complete, we'll measure and prepare your cloth before sending it, together with the agreed design specification, to our tailor's atelier in North London.
Your handwoven textile will then be professionally cut, constructed, lined and finished as your chosen coat.
The finished garment will normally return to Freeweaver Studio approximately four weeks later, ready for collection.
The result is a completely individual garment whose colour, texture and character began with you — cloth woven by your own hands and transformed into a professionally tailored coat.
What's included
The £900 programme price includes the initial design consultation, Introduction to Weaving, optional warp-making workshop, standard weaving materials and warp, supported studio weaving, standard lining and professional tailoring of your coat.
Specialist or premium yarns and linings, unusual trims or fastenings, significant pattern alterations and additional tailoring requirements can be accommodated where possible and will be agreed and priced separately before proceeding.
Because every piece of cloth is woven by hand, variations and irregularities are part of the character of the finished textile and make every Freeweaver coat unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any previous weaving experience?
No. The programme is suitable for complete beginners. If you haven't woven with us before, your programme begins with our full Introduction to Weaving on a Japanese Floor Loom, where you'll learn everything you need to begin creating your coat cloth.
Do I need to know how to sew or make clothes?
Not at all. You create the cloth and make the design decisions; the construction of your coat is carried out professionally by our tailor in North London.
How do I choose the design of my coat?
We begin with a design consultation at Freeweaver. You can bring a coat you already own that you'd like to use as a reference, bring a commercial pattern, or choose from patterns available at the studio. We'll also look at previous Freeweaver coats and discuss colour, materials, lining, shape and finishing details.
How much cloth will I need to weave?
Most coats require approximately 6½ metres of handwoven cloth, but the exact amount will depend on your chosen design, size and the width of your weaving. We'll establish your target length before you begin.
Do I have to weave all 6½ metres in one session?
No. This is a programme rather than a single workshop. You'll build up your cloth over a series of visits to Freeweaver, returning during our regular studio days from Wednesday to Sunday.
How long does it take to weave the cloth?
Everyone weaves at a different pace, so there is no fixed number of hours. Some people enjoy working quite intensively, while others prefer to build their cloth gradually over a longer period. You'll be able to work at your own pace with studio support available throughout the project.
Do I have to make my own warp?
No. Your warp can be prepared for you. However, if you'd like to experience another stage of making your cloth, the programme includes the option of taking our warp-making workshop, normally £150.
What is included in the £900 price?
The programme includes your initial coat and textile design consultation, Introduction to Weaving, optional warp-making workshop, standard warp and weaving materials, supported studio weaving, standard lining and professional tailoring.
Can I choose my own yarns and colours?
Absolutely. Choosing your materials is an important part of the project. You'll have access to the Freeweaver yarn wall and we'll explore combinations of colour, texture and fibre during your initial consultation.
Can I use specialist or luxury materials?
Yes. If you'd like particular fibres, specialist yarns, a premium lining, unusual fastenings or other materials beyond those normally included, we can discuss sourcing these for you. Any additional cost will always be agreed before ordering.
Will my weaving be good enough to turn into a coat?
Yes. Your cloth isn't expected to look machine-made. Variations in texture, colour and density are part of the character of handwoven cloth. We'll support you throughout the weaving process and make sure the finished textile is suitable for your chosen garment before it goes to the tailor.
Will the coat fit me?
Your coat design and sizing are agreed before the cloth is sent for construction. Depending on the pattern and design chosen, measurements or a fitting may also be required. Any additional fitting requirements will be discussed with you before tailoring begins.
What happens when I've finished weaving?
We'll check and prepare your completed cloth and send it, together with the agreed coat specification, to our tailor's atelier in North London. Your cloth is then professionally cut, lined and constructed.
How long does the tailoring take?
Allow approximately four weeks from the point at which the completed cloth is sent to the tailor. Bespoke work can occasionally take a little longer, and we'll keep you informed if this is the case.
Where do I collect my finished coat?
Your finished coat returns to Freeweaver Studio in Maritime Greenwich, where it will be ready for collection.
Can I give the programme as a gift?
Yes. Weave Your Own Coat can make a particularly special gift. Because the recipient will make all of the important design decisions themselves, you don't need to choose their colours, materials or coat design in advance.
What if I've already completed a Freeweaver Introduction workshop?
You won't need to repeat it. We can begin with your coat consultation and move directly into planning and weaving your cloth. We can discuss how best to use the programme according to your existing experience.