Discover handloom weaving classes at ELaiolithos in Naxos. Learn traditional techniques with a local master weaver during your visit in Naxos. A sustainable, cultural, and hands-on experience for mindful travelers.
At ELaiolithos, you experience Naxos from an entirely new perspective—here art, tradition, and local craftsmanship weave together in one unique encounter. Just 1 km from the historic weaving village of Moni, guests can explore the island’s rich handloom textile heritage and learn the ancient art of “yfada” weaving through our immersive Textiles Handloom Weaving Classes.
Naxos’ handloom textiles reflect centuries of culture, geography, and artistry. Each woven piece reveals the island’s identity in a symphony of color and pattern. Today, this tradition remains alive in Moni, home to generations of skilled weavers who pass their knowledge through time.
Our weaving classes invite you to discover this sustainable, soulful craft and connect with an art form deeply rooted in Naxian life.
ELaiolithos & Handloom Weaving Textiles & Sustainability
The weaving tradition of Naxos has always embodied sustainability. It embraces natural resources, supports local craftswomen, and protects cultural heritage. ELaiolithos proudly continues this tradition. Inside every suite, you’ll find authentic handwoven pieces sourced directly from the owner’s mother – a weaver for 65 years, crafted with:
- 100% Greek cotton
- Eco-friendly materials
- Traditional techniques handed down through generations
Bedcovers, sofa throws, curtains, area rugs, chair textiles—each piece adds warmth, artistry, and a deep sense of place. ELaiolithos honors this heritage by offering guests not only the chance to admire these textiles but to learn how they are made, bring them closer to the region’s cultural legacy—supporting the weavers of Moni and inviting travelers to experience genuine Naxian craft.
What is a loom weaving class?
This class is your invitation into a craft shaped by time and heart.
You’ll begin by meeting your instructor—a master weaver from the village, a woman whose life has been shaped by color, patience, and thread. She shares her story, her inspiration, and the textiles she has created over the years- today she is 79 years old.
Your experience:
- Meeting your instructor, a skilled craftswoman from the village
- Learning the history and meaning of weaving in Naxos
- Understanding the structure of the loom and its components
- Exploring tools, threads, and colors
- How patterns emerge through rhythm and repetition
- Watching traditional weaving techniques in action
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Then comes the moment you’ve been waiting for:
you begin weaving yourself.
Under her guidance, you’ll learn how to handle the loom’s components, and bring small patterns to life using vibrant colors. You’ll feel how meditative, grounding, and expressive this craft truly is, and you’ll discover how patterns come alive on the loom, how threads interlace, and how a simple wooden frame can carry centuries of artistic expression.
What You’ll Learn
- Basics of warp, weft, and weaving
- How colorful patterns are created
- Tools of traditional Naxian weaving
- Texture and design methods
- Hands-on weaving
All materials are provided—just bring your curiosity and willingness to learn. No prior knowledge is needed to take this class.
Who Is This Class For?
This weaving class is ideal for:
- Creative guests looking to learn something meaningful during their trip
- Travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences
- Lovers of textile arts and handmade crafts
- Visitors who value sustainability and local sourcing
- Curious minds who want to understand traditions beyond the surface
- Conscious travelers exploring responsible production
Is Loom Weaving Hard to Learn?
Weaving is a balance of ease and complexity.
It is meditative yet structured, soothing yet challenging, and always rewarding.
The rhythm of warp and weft becomes familiar quickly. With guidance, patience, and a little practice, anyone can learn the fundamentals. The beauty of weaving lies in its quiet focus and the deep sense of connection it brings.
Experience Traditional Loom Weaving in Naxos
This class is more than a lesson.
It is an artistic encounter, a cultural bridge, and a moment of stillness you will carry home long after your travels.
EL Art Gallery: Take a Piece of Naxos Home
The weaving story doesn’t end when the class does.
At ELaiolithos, this tradition continues in the EL Art Gallery, where curated handmade artifacts are displayed with care and soul.
Naxian weaving has survived through the hands of the women of Moni village—women like the owner’s mother, whose devotion to heritage and craft kept the loom alive. Today, these creations adorn our shelves, ready to travel home with guests who fall in love with their beauty.
Here, you’ll find handmade pieces such as: handbags, blankets, wallets, placemats, tablecloths, curtains, runners, towels, centerpieces, scarves, bracelets, sofa throws, yoga throws, and many more textiles designed for both everyday use and special moments.
Each item is one-of-a-kind—woven with imagination, shaped by tradition, and rich with the artistic pulse of Naxos.
Browse, touch, feel, and choose the piece that speaks to you. Decorate your home with a handmade textile that carries the island’s spirit, or surprise someone you love with a meaningful gift woven from the heart of Naxos.
A piece from the EL Art Gallery is not just a souvenir.
It is a memory, a story, a connection—woven by hand, cherished for a lifetime.
