What is Footloom Weaving?

Alirio García of San Pedro Sacatepequez, San Marcos

The footloom, or floor loom, was introduced to Guatemala in the 16th century by the Spanish. Although not native to the region, many Guatemalan communities have since developed their own distinct techniques in floor loom weaving—adapting the tool into a vital part of their artisan traditions.

The floor loom is a wooden structure placed directly on the ground, giving the loom its name. On larger models, the weaver sits on a bench within the loom itself; for smaller looms, they sit in front on a simple chair. The artisans we collaborate with often work closely with local carpenters to customize their looms to fit their specific weaving style—ensuring the equipment supports both their artistry and precision.

Before a single thread is woven, preparing a floor loom is a meticulous process—one that blends math, science, and skilled artistry. It begins with transforming skeins of thread into cones, followed by measuring and arranging the warp threads, which form the foundational structure of the textile. This stage alone requires an expert understanding of tension, density, and fabric dimensions.

Warp threads prepped on a loom

Next comes one of the most intricate steps: threading the loom. Each warp thread—sometimes numbering in the thousands—is carefully passed through the eyelet of a heddle in a precise sequence. This process organizes the threads and ensures they move correctly during weaving, preventing tangling and maintaining pattern integrity. It’s an exercise in patience and mastery, requiring a trained eye and steady hands.

Esperanza demonstrates supplemental weft

Finally, mounting the warp onto the loom is a feat of teamwork and strength. Up to four artisans may be needed to evenly wind as much as 100 yards of thread under consistent tension. Altogether, this vital preparation takes one to two full days and is essential to the quality of the final textile. For master weavers, this stage is as important as the weaving itself—a complex choreography of planning, calculation, and tradition.

In Guatemala, each floor loom weaving community we partner with brings its own distinct technique, rooted in generations of tradition and cultural expression. These are not mass-produced textiles—they are one-of-a-kind works of art, woven by hand with skill, intention, and deep cultural knowledge.

In Comalapa, Lidia and her friend Esperanza specialize in richly textured weaves, as seen in our Feliz Throw Blanket. Using a supplemental weft technique, Esperanza hand-places vibrant threads into the fabric as she weaves, creating dimension and movement with each pass of the shuttle.

In San Antonio Palopó, Gudi is our master of stripes—a technique that may appear simple but requires precise calculation and consistency. The even tension he maintains across each yard of fabric is a testament to his practiced hand, and his work shines in the Rayas Accent Pillow, a piece that reflects both rhythm and refinement.

Gudi Perez of San Antonio Palopó, Sololá

In San Marcos, Alirio García and his family take the art of weaving to an extraordinary level with falsería—a complex technique passed down through their lineage. The patterns they produce are both intricate and symbolic, requiring not only technical mastery but deep patience and focus. We look forward to sharing more about this remarkable process in a future journal entry, but you can already see its beauty in our Falseria Throw.

Each of these artisans carries forward a legacy—preserving ancestral methods while creating heirloom-quality textiles that speak to history, place, and personal craft. We’re honored to support and share their work, and proud to bring these meaningful pieces into homes.

Regan Billingsley - Founder of RB Curated

The RB Curated Falseria Collection