Damask weaving is an old technique that requires a lot of special knowledge, skills and equipment. A special loom is needed with a structure to be able to pull groups of threads up to create patterns. A damask loom is a special and larger loom than 'normal looms' and this form of weaving involves extra knowledge. Many people know damask linen tablecloths, where you see beautiful patterns with special light.
Currently, the Damask Weavers Guild has eighteen members. The group is aging and as a result knowledge is in danger of being lost. Various members organize special damask weaving courses and workshops to share their knowledge and members meet twice a year for knowledge exchange.
Damask has been around since the fifteenth century in the Netherlands. At that time, hand looms were used, until the end of the 18th century, the Jacquard loom was introduced, which, due to its size, was mainly suitable for industrial applications. About a hundred years later, a loom with a small traction was developed, which was the reason to set up the Damask Weavers Guild. Nowadays, computers are also used to convert images into patterns of detailed fabrics.
