Setting up the loom was a time-consuming and complicated process and therefore in most households it was set up in a permanent position, often in the yard under a balcony or inside the house near a window. The Epirotic loom is made up of two vertical wooden bases and four horizontal beams, which are placed in the side slots of the vertical bases and are wedged into them with successive strokes in order to stabilise them.

The antique where the weaving is to be wound is then placed and the wooden wedges are inserted into the slots of the horizontal beams - at the points where they protrude from the vertical wooden supports - so that they remain in place during the weaving process.

The wooden frame through which the threads from the mitres pass after they are tied to the back end (warp), is also fixed.

The warp is wound around a cylindrical piece of wood located at the back of the loom. With the placement of the board which is the weaver's seat, the tying of the loom is completed.

 Have a look at the related video.

The weavers of the Monodendri Handicraft School show you the way!