About this experience
Experience an authentic class diving into the heritage art of backstrap weaving. This class is offered a beautiful colonial garden in central Antigua, just 3 blocks away from the Central Park. This convenient location makes it a great morning activity.
Throughout Guatemala, vibrant textiles reflect deep cultural pride and generations of skilled craftsmanship. Creating a loom of your own will provide essential background knowledge and appreciation for all participants as they explore Guatemala.
Our Warping Class is always offered one-on-one, honoring the way master weavers prefer to pass on their knowledge, as it is how they learned the craft themselves.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 3 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- One-on-one instruction from a master Kaqchikel Maya weaver (Spanish and English possible)
- A canvas bag to take home your loom
- Backstrap Weaving Resources List in PDF form
- A light snack and drink
- All materials to make your own loom (approx. 9" x 23") - cotton threads, wooden rods, belt, rope
Itinerary and highlights
Immerse yourself in Guatemala’s rich weaving traditions during this private three-hour workshop with a Kaqchikel Maya master weaver. In the peaceful setting of our lush Antigua garden studio, you’ll create a traditional backstrap loom entirely by hand—all yours to take with you to continue weaving (approx. 9" x 23").
All materials are provided: cotton threads in a variety of colors, all wooden rods necessary for the loom, a belt, rope, and a canvas bag for carrying your finished loom. A light snack and refreshment are also included in the middle of the class. This is a private class, taught one-on-one just as the teachers themselves were taught.
Under your weaving teacher’s patient instruction, you’ll learn to warp on a traditional wooden warping board, forming the weaver’s cross and keeping the tension constant. After that, you'll learn how to setup the loom step by step. By the end of the session, your unique loom will be all ready for weaving.
We encourage participants to take this intimate opportunity to practice their Spanish as much as possible. Some of our teachers speak English (beginner and intermediate levels); please select the language preference when booking.
See the overview, available options and booking details for the experience schedule.
Meeting and pickup information
- Our address is 1a Avenida Sur #4B in Antigua Guatemala. You can find us on Google Maps for directions. Please ring the bell and we'll open the gate to welcome you into our studio space! We're the only property around that opens up to a lush courtyard with a fountain.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Kakaw Designs
Accessibility and practical details
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What accessibility information is provided?
Service animals allowed
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
Traveller experiences load when you reach this section.
