What Is Artisan Weaving? 

Weaving has accompanied humans since prehistoric times. For centuries, people have woven by hand to create what was needed for daily life: clothes, blankets, furnishings. Even today, in small studios and workshops, weaving continues — often for cultural or artistic purposes. Click on the title to keep reading…

What many people don't know is that between hand weaving and industrial weaving, there's an intermediate world: artisan weaving. And this is where our story begins.

A silent revolution: from flying shuttle to Jacquard
Until 1733, the shuttle — the tool that carries the weft thread across the loom — was thrown by hand. To weave on wider looms, two people were needed. Everything changed with John Kay's invention of the flying shuttle, which, through a system of levers and cords, allowed the shuttle to move quickly from one side to the other. This system dramatically increased productivity and led to the first Industrial Revolution.

Another leap came in 1804 with Joseph-Marie Jacquard, who introduced the Jacquard machine — a punch card reader that controlled the lifting of warp threads. It was, in effect, the first programmable system in history — the ancestor of the computer. The combination of the flying shuttle and the Jacquard mechanism gave birth to the shuttle Jacquard loom, capable of producing complex, high-quality textile patterns.

Our artisan weaving
In our textile workshop, we still use shuttle Jacquard looms made in Switzerland, some dating back 150 years. Our Jacquard machines are even older — about 200 years. Today, all our looms are powered by electric motors, but the logic and structure remain faithful to tradition.

We are an example of authentic artisan weaving: it is not industrial production, nor fully manual weaving. We occupy that noble and rare middle ground where mechanics serve quality, not quantity.

The difference: slowness, natural fibers, excellence
Modern industrial looms can weave over 1000 picks per minute, while our artisan looms do not exceed 90 picks per minute. What does this mean?

• We can use natural fibers (linen, untreated cotton) without damaging them.

• No waxes or paraffins are needed to lubricate the yarn.

• Every fabric retains its natural softness, strength, and breathability.

The result?
Fabrics of the highest quality, full of character, durable, and authentic.

A craft that's almost disappeared
Today, only a handful of companies still operate shuttle Jacquard looms. We have been doing it since 1923, starting from natural yarns and following the entire production cycle: from warping and weaving to cutting and custom finishing.

That's why we also organize guided tours of our workshop in Gagliano del Capo, Salento — to show and share a still-living heritage.

Weaving means passing down stories
Artisan weaving is much more than a production technique. It's a story passed down through generations. It's culture, identity, and the opportunity — still today — to choose something well-made, with passion and awareness.

And every one of our fabrics carries that story within it.