Heidi Bennett
Artisanal Weaver, Fiber Artist & Innovative Rigid Heddle Teacher
Artisanal
High quality, small quantities using century old techniques.
Weave
The overlaying of threads or yarn across and down to create fabric.
Teacher
One who shares their passion to help others enhance the world.
Heidi Bennett, Weaver & Teacher
Heidi believes in the power of the cloth, the traditions that spans cultures and the ages. She loves combining art with function to weave, practical, handmade wares with a unique, artistic touch for those who appreciate 'handwoven'.
She is an experienced fiber artist and fell in love with weaving upon discovering the amazing Rigid Heddle loom. She now has a house full of looms including many rigid heddle looms and several 8-shaft looms.
Converting her home office into a weaving studio, their house is officially a “handwoven house”. There’s weaving in almost every room – from kitchen towels, placemats and table runners to hand towels, lace curtains and rag rugs.
Heidi loves to share her weaving passion by teaching and writing articles for the local Seattle Weavers Guild. Her Beginner Rigid Heddle class are taught at the local Community College. Class size is small with only 4 - 7 students. scarves.
She enjoys exploring and sharing the many weaving possibilities of the Rigid Heddle loom. Her “Beyond the Basics” classes include a wide array of topics from advanced-beginner, intermediate to advanced classes with new classes coming on board as the possibilities are endless. Classes have lots of individual attention with only 2 to 4 students, detailed handouts and lots of tips.
Heidi is an authorized Ashford dealer (see info below) and sells her weavings at local guild sales and on Etsy.com.
Prior to moving to Seattle in the ‘90’s, Heidi was a New York City area native and continued her marketing consultant career in Seattle where she met her husband, raised two children and advocated for K-16 education legislation through WA State PTA. She lives with her husband and their cat in North Seattle.
Rigid Heddle Looms - Small Footprint, Big Results
Ashford Rigid Heddle Looms: Almost a century of quality weaving, spinning and textile craft equipment.
In 1934, Walter Ashford founded Ashford Handicrafts Ltd, now a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality spinning wheels, weaving looms, and textile craft equipment. , Ashford is dedicated to creating tools that are functional, enduring, and beautifully designed.
Their weaving looms are the result of over 90 years of innovation, customer collaboration, and expert knowledge. Crafted from premium beech hardwood sourced from sustainably managed forests, each piece is available in its natural finish or coated with a water-based lacquer. Made in New Zealand, our tools are made to inspire makers of all skill levels.
Heidi is proud to be an Ashford Wheels & Looms dealer. Unlike other Rigid Heddle Looms, Ashford Rigid heddle looms have:
All looms include a double heddle block that makes it easy to weave 2-heddle projects.
The heddle holes are rectangular so it’s much easier to insert a threading hooks versus looms with smaller, square holes.
The wood frames are from quality beech hardwood which is strong and lightweight with durable knobs and handles.
A wide arrange of accessory products including stands, shuttles, heddles and even handi-hands for those with wrist or hand issues.
All Ashford Rigid Heddle loom come with a 7.5 heddle with 6 extra heddle sizes for purchase: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 & 15 dents per inch plus a variable dent heddle.
SampleIt Loom
This compact loom is perfect for sampling and tight spaces. Affordable and portable in natural timber finish.
It’s easy to assembly and fun to weave. But due to the compact weaving depth it requires more frequent advancing than the other Ashford looms.
Two loom widths: 10” & 16”
Knitters Loom
This folding loom is ready to weave out of the box and a great deal!
It’s fully assembled, lacquered, super lightweight and durable. It folds with your project in progress. With the extended loom depth you spend more time weaving and less time advancing the warp.
Plus, it includes a durable carry bag with lots of pockets.
Three loom widths: 12”, 20” & 28”
Standard Rigid Heddle Loom
The Standard Rigid Heddle loom is affordable, portable and versatile rigid heddle loom that is easy to assemble.
Regardless of the loom width, this loom has an extended loom depth so you spend more time weaving and less time advancing the warp. Plus it includes a built in warping board (pegs sold separately).
Four loom widths: 16”, 24”, 32” & 48”