Hand Weaving Project

Keeping traditional art forms alive for future generations

This is the story of Saye Artisan Kaftans — a beautiful collaboration between local artisans and the Saye Artisan community. Each kaftan is patiently woven by master craftsmen under the most ethical working conditions.

An entire village comes together to create a single kaftan — and that’s what makes each of our pieces truly special. Above all, we honor the people who preserve ancient techniques and help keep these traditional art forms alive for generations to come.

Some villages in Anatolia still weave in their homes. We traveled from village to village, learning from the weavers. Many women had stopped weaving to work in the fields or take other jobs because their craft was no longer valued. This art was slowly being lost.
We knew it was time to take a step — and that’s exactly what we did.

Steps of Hand-Weaving

Warp Yarn Sizing

A key step in healthy weaving.
Each artisan uses a secret recipe.
Flour is cooked, diluted, and used warm.
Yarns are soaked, wrapped, then dried.
Always sun-dried on terraces or gardens.

Bobbin Winding and Warping

Once the threads are dried, the weaving master begins preparing the warp. Combining skilled hands with an analytical mindset, the process is carried out with care and precision. One of our most beloved artisans, Aunt Hatice, has been winding warps for over 60 years — all while generously passing on her craft to others.

Dressing and Winding the Warp Yarns

After sizing, the warp threads are carefully aligned and individually separated to prepare them for the loom. This step is essential for a smooth and uninterrupted weaving process. The straightened and starched threads are then meticulously wound around a wooden beam and transported to the loom. In our village, only one person still carries on this craft. She weaves not only with her own strength, but with the spirit and heritage of the entire village.

Attaching Warp Yarns to the Loom

The bobbin threads are first placed on a holder called a slug. To prevent tangling, they are passed through a comb-shaped balancer, forming a warp hank. Next comes the shedding process—each yarn is separated and threaded through heddles, two of which are used for plain weave techniques. Then, one by one, the yarns are carefully inserted by hand into the loom’s reed (comb). Finally, the heddles and frames are mounted, and the warp hank is secured to the loom, ready for weaving.

Weft Yarn Winding

The weft follows the fabric’s structure.
Warp threads lift to form a shed.
A shuttle passes through this opening.
The shed is rebuilt for each insertion.
At least two frames are needed.

Weaving

Since ancient times, this has been the way yarns are prepared for weaving across almost all techniques. Setting up the loom can take a team one to two weeks before the master weaver can begin. Once the loom is ready, the weaver carefully transfers traditional patterns—passed down through generations—onto the fabric. Due to the intricacy of the work, no more than one meter of patterned fabric can be woven in a single day. Each pattern and thread combination follows a specific formula, making every piece not only unique but also deeply rooted in cultural heritage.