Threads of Belonging II – Persian Carpet Weaving
Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 1-4 PM
FREE
This workshop has been developed exclusively for Immigrant, Refugee, and Newcomer participants, with thanks to Toronto Arts Council Funding via their Newcomer and Refugee Arts Engagement program.
In this collaborative three-hour workshop, participants will be introduced to the traditional practice of Persian carpet weaving through a shared loom. Working in small groups of two people, participants will learn the foundations of carpet weaving and take turns contributing to the same woven piece. Rather than each participant creating a separate object, the workshop invites participants to experience what it means to make something together.
The shared loom becomes a space for conversation and collaboration. Participants must observe one another, take turns, support each other, and gradually learn to work in rhythm. The carpet grows through their collective efforts. Traditional carpet weaving can be understood as a metaphor for community itself. A single knot may seem small and insignificant, but thousands of knots together become something strong, meaningful, and beautiful.
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
- Understand the basic structure and process of Persian carpet weaving
- Gain insight into the history and cultural significance of Persian carpets
- Experience working collaboratively on a shared loom
- Build connections with other participants through shared creative practice
This is a beginner-friendly workshop with no previous weaving experience required. All materials and step-by step guidance will be provided.
For any accessibility needs, please email Marium Durrani (mdurrani@textilemuseum.ca).
This workshop is part of the Museum’s workshop series: Liminal Threads. In this workshop series, the Museum aims to create space for newcomers, refugees, and immigrants, where they can bridge the divide of settling in Canada. Taught by local Immigrant, Refugee, and/or Newcomer artists, participants learn new modes of sustainable thinking, textile making techniques, and creating new community. We would like to thank the Toronto Arts Council Strategic Funding: Newcomer and Refugee Arts Engagement, for funding this program.
Facilitator Bio:
Jamileh Haji Hasan is a skilled artist and professional educator with deep expertise in Persian carpet and kilim weaving. Since 2016, she has been teaching this traditional art in both Iran and Canada. In Canada, she has led numerous private and group workshops in Toronto, collaborating with cultural and community organizations such as the Willowdale City Office, Tirgan Festival organization, Gibson House Museum, and Pickering Museum.
Jamileh is also the author of a bilingual handbook (Persian and English) that introduces the fundamental techniques of carpet weaving. Beyond the artistic and cultural aspects of her craft, Jamileh is passionate about the therapeutic potential of carpet and kilim weaving, advocating for the mental health and wellness benefits that come from engaging in traditional hand-weaving practices
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