What are weaving looms?

Weaving looms are machines used for weaving fabric from thread. Weaving interlocks horizontal and vertical threads to form cloth. Looms vary from simple, hand-operated devices to complex electronic machines.

The earliest weavers used wood or branches as looms to hold their threads in place. They used sticks to pass the horizontal threads (the weft) back and forth between the vertical ones (the warp). Traditionally, cloth was woven at home, though by the 17th century, professional weavers took precedence due to the cost of the looms in use at the time. During the Industrial Revolution, powered looms were developed, and eventually, the majority of textile production was moved to large scale factories.