A fully-subscribed weaving workshop in Melbourne in early 2026 was a first step in reviving traditional Estonian crafts within the local Estonian community.
An ECFA grant was used to purchase eight specialized Ashford inkle looms, yarn, and high-quality instructional manuals to support a dedicated Traditional Baltic Weaving Workshop. The community response was overwhelming, with the event selling out quickly. There is now a waiting list for future sessions.
The workshop consisted of intensive full-day sessions two weeks apart. Participants were taught how to warp a loom, do plain weaving, and introduced to different types of weaving, and instructed in the essential techniques of Baltic Pick-Up weaving. Traditional Estonian belt weaving patterns were provided, and attendees could take equipment and materials home between sessions to practice their newly learned skills. A second workshop is planned for July 2026, and a regular weaving group has been formed to keep these ancestral skills thriving.
The feedback from the workshop was enthusiastic and a tribute to the Melbourne Craft Group and Gabri Mikkor, who organised the event:
“You created such an encouraging and enjoyable learning environment, and I came away feeling really inspired to keep practicing. I also really appreciated being able to borrow the inkle loom to continue practicing at home…”
“It was especially rewarding to make a woven belt and bookmark myself using Estonian patterns. I look forward to continuing weaving at home using the skills and knowledge gained during the workshop…”
Seeing our heritage preserved, celebrated, and passed down to the next generation in this was is at the very heart of ECFA’s mission. We look forward to hearing more about the progress of the Melbourne weavers.
If you have a cultural initiative that could do with support, consider applying for a grant in our 2026-27 funding round:
Applications close on 30 June 2026.
You can also read more on HEIA: https://eesti.org.au/2026/05/13/from-zero-to-wait-i-made-this-melbournes-weaving-workshops/
