ART WEAVER SAORI STUDIO:
Saori Freestyle Hand Weaving

SAORI is an exciting way of free-style weaving which allows anyone to create unique handwoven cloth. Suited to all ages, genders and abilities, SAORI weaving encourages people to follow their intuition as they enjoy exploring the creative process.

SAORI® is the trademark of the Sakaiseikisangyo Company in Osaka, Japan. It covers the principles, the method of teaching and the manufacture of looms and equipment.

MARCH 2026

MARCH 2026

 

Happy 12th Anniversary to us here at Art Weaver SAORI Studio!

Weekday and Saturday workshops are humming along, with wonderful discoveries of Saori weaving as new and returning weavers enjoying their own Saori journeys and share with others.

Saturday workshops (April – May – June) are filling, so get in early to book your place!

Watch out for the big news of our online SAORI SHOP opening very soon.

Contact heather@artweaverstudio.com.au to book YOUR weaving session for 2026.

Wear Sew Stylish

Wear Sew Stylish classes at Art Weaver SAORI Studio in 2026

If you have been wanting to make garments from your handwoven cloth, join me where I will show you how. All the techniques, methods, design inspiration and how to’s in a full day class with just 2 people so you each get lots of input.

Read more and how to book here at  Wear Sew Stylish

 To view and purchase Wear Sew Stylish designs, click the link below

Wear Sew Stylish DESIGNS

Gift Cards & Handwoven Items

GIFT CARDS and EXCLUSIVE HANDWOVEN ITEMS

E:Gift Cards and Printed Gift Cards are now available for online purchase. In addition, the Art Weaver Collection of unique handwoven items is now also available online.

Visit the store for full information and to purchase.

FREE shipping is included with all purchases.

Saturday Workshops

SAORI SATURDAY WORKSHOP 2026

BOOK YOUR SAORI SATURDAY!

See the Saturday Workshop page for details and how to book your place   –

  • April 18th –  3 places available
  • May 23rd –  tentative fully booked (1 waitlisted)
  • June 27th  –  3 places remaining

Email heather@artweaverstudio.com.au to reserve your place and get into SAORI weaving.

I look forward to introducing you to the joy of SAORI weaving.

Health Policy

IMPORTANT    

Please be thoughtful of others and not attend the studio if you are unwell with COVID symptoms or other respiratory virus.

WHAT WE OFFER

CLASSES

Weekly Saori sessions are very affordable, starting at $95 for 3 hours (plus materials). For session costs and options (including Gift Certificates), check out Saori Classes page.

FULL DAY WORKSHOPS

As well as the regular weekday sessions, Art Weaver SAORI Saturday Group Workshops are held on advertised dates. You need to plan well ahead for these full day Saori weaving adventures!

SAORI LOOMS

As an internationally registered SAORI Dealer, we carry the most popular items in stock and regularly place special orders with SAORI Japan. We can help advise on the right fit for you and get you started.

MATERIALS

Weavers need lots of materials! We have a range of beautiful affordable materials to suit your needs. Here you will find SAORI weaving yarns and warps to free your imagination.

Galleries

“The spirit of weaving exists in the spirit of living a life freely and faithfully to your true self, apart from conventional ways.”

MISAO JO (1913 – 2018) FOUNDER OF SAORI WEAVING

MISAO JO (1913 – 2018) Founder of  SAORI weaving, wrote over 40 years ago,

“The spirit of weaving exists in the spirit of living a life freely and faithfully to your true self, apart from conventional ways.”

Her son Kenzo Jo and other family members continue their dedication to sharing the joy of SAORI weaving with the world.

The four slogans of SAORI, set down by Misao Jo and Kenzo Jo in 1975, remain as the underpinning philosophy of SAORI weaving.

  1. Consider the difference between a machine and a human being
  2. Be bold and adventurous
  3. Look out through eyes that shine
  4. Inspire one another, and everyone in the group

SAORI has grown throughout Japan and now far beyond, enabling people of all abilities to freely weave, and through weaving, discover their own kansei – their unique aesthetic.

In 2004, Kenzo Jo built Saorinomori, a SAORI weaving studio and loom manufacturing centre in Izumi, Osaka, Japan. Saorinomori is built in the same place where Misao Jo started SAORI weaving over 40 years ago.

To learn more about SAORI, visit their website www.saoriglobal.com

Testimonials

  • I recently attended a WSS workshop with Heather Walters in her delightful studio in Kyneton. With one other participant Heather led us through the theory and practicalities of designing and sewing without using a pattern. What a revelation! Having experience in the more traditional methods, it was refreshing to learn how to approach sewing a garment with limited waste and utilising the features of the handwoven fabric. Heather is a generous tutor with many examples to share. With only two students it allowed a range of options to be discussed and time for practical work to be done. A great workshop and would benefit anyone considering designing and making garments from their handwoven fabric.

    Janet

  • Our experience learning Saori with you today was so inspiring, for both Harper and I. We absolutely LOVED our lesson and 3hrs just flew by, we could have stayed the whole day!! It was a great lesson for Harper to learn that when you love what you do, time flies by! Thank you for igniting the creative spark in us. I’m sure we will see you soon for another lesson.

    Anika Heron

  • Learning SAORI style weaving with Art Weaver Studio has been a fantastic learning experience. It has really challenged my perspective on all the amazing creative possibilities within the weaving medium. Heather's expertise as an artisan and personalised guidance created a supportive and artistic nurturing environment for me to flourish in the weaving art form. I have now created a number of woven pieces involving a range of mixed methods which I just love. The entire learning and creation process has been an absolute joy. I have also found so much support and friendship in the mutual learning environment, working alongside other aspiring and experienced creative individuals. Thank you very much.

    A.Hayden

  • The SAORI weaving workshop course I undertook with Art Weaver Studio has truly inspired my inner artist. The large woven wall hanging I created has been such a fun learning experience. It looks amazing as the feature wall piece within our modern living area. I am really looking forward to weaving cloth for unique fashion garments in the coming weeks!

    Inspired My Inner Artist

  • Thank you Heather for teaching us ( The Six Knitters ) about the way of the SAORI weaving. We all went home with a piece of fabric made in our individual designs after spending the day at your Studio. loved every minute and look forward to doing it again!

    - Clasina Rieseweyk

  • Great studio! My daughter and I had a fantastic time. Definitely come back again!

    - Keiko Akimoto

Studio

141 Macedon Road, Templestowe Lower, Vic 3107