Kingston Handloom Weavers & Spinners





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The Kingston Handloom Weavers & Spinners has been a hub for fiber arts in Kingston since 1948. Their goal is to maintain and promote the value of weaving and spinning practices that have been performed for hundreds of years. Working to ensure that such skills are passed down to future generations, members also prioritize exploration and innovation to advance the field of fiber arts. Together they create, connect, contribute, share, and learn.

Education is an important aspect of KHWS that takes many forms. KHWS has an extensive library, and members offer a range of workshops on various aspects of fiber practices. The studio holds handlooms and spinning wheels that members can use to work on self-directed projects or to collaborate with other members. Beyond skill sharing between members, they also emphasize experiential / hands-on learning when they are out in the community. They facilitate demonstrations and give people the opportunity to try spinning and weaving for themselves. Spending time together and playing with fibers allows people to enjoy the tactile experience and explore curiosities about fiber practices without worrying about a finished product.



The 100-inch loom was given to the KHWS by the City of Kingston during their anniversary celebration in 1973. The large loom takes approximately one hundred hours to set up before weaving can begin and requires two people to operate it. Working on the loom demands a great deal of cooperation and collaboration and helps foster a supportive learning environment for skill-sharing and communication.