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Writer's pictureEmma and Gillian

9 steps to a beautiful hemstitch on a rigid heddle weaving loom

Updated: Aug 23


Introduction to hemstitching on a rigid heddle weaving loom

yellow and grey checked weave on a rigid heddle loom


A hemstitch is a way of securing the warp threads at each end of a weave. This technique is useful in preventing a weave from un-weaving itself and is especially useful in creating a professional finish to each end of a woven garment such as a scarf. This blog shows step by step images which can be used to do a hemstitch on a rigid heddle weaving loom, floor loom or smaller frame loom.




Step 1:

In this hemstitch I decided that I would secure bunches of 4 warp threads to match the warp pattern. In the first step the needle is inserted to the right of the next bunch of 4 warp threads going down between the warp threads.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 2:

The needle is then bought up 4 warp threads along to the left and two weft rows up.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 3:

Pull the thread through the fabric.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 4:

When the thread is fully pulled up through the fabric it will look like this.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 5:

Loop the yarn as shown.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 6:

Take the needle back down the again to the right of the bunch of 4 warp threads going down between the warp threads.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 7:

Bring the needle up through the loop 4 warp threads along.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 8:

Pull the thread until it forms a knot securing the 4 warp threads.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

Step 9:

Pull on the thread to tighten the knot.

This is the process. To continue go back to Step 1.

hemstitching on a rigid heddle loom using a needle and grey yarn

This scarf was woven using 4 ply West Yorkshire Spinners Yarn.


Rigid heddle looms with a scarf weaving kit and scarf weaving kits for those who already have a rigid heddle loom are available in our TabbyandTweed website shop for UK delivery and our TabbyandTweed Etsy shop for delivery elsewhere. We sell a variety of scarf rigid heddle loom weaving kits which include the pattern and yarn for both 8epi and 10epi reeds.


Interested in learning to weave? Then our workshop page has all the details found by clicking the link here.


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