In 2009, Jennifer set out to find high-quality, handwoven Turkish textiles—expecting a straightforward journey. What she uncovered instead was an endangered art form gasping for breath. Weaving had already vanished from Türkiye’s cities, and even in rural villages, looms sat silent, collecting dust or tucked away in storage out of sight.
After six long days of winding roads, shared meals, and many cups of tea, Jennifer finally found her first working weaver—a man still weaving textiles the traditional way, on a shuttled loom. This serendipitous encounter opened the door to eight other weavers clinging to their craft by a thread and marked the humble beginning of Jennifer’s Hamam.
These were the last of their kind: men who had learned the craft as children, from their mothers who did the textile weaving for the home. It was shocking to learn that the art of weaving was on the brink of extinction. Even more startling was the discovery that if she had started her search just ten days later, the ‘looping’ technique—a method developed by Ottoman weavers in the 17th century and used to create the original, thick-looped famous Turkish towels—would have been lost forever.
The realization of how close the art was to disappearing became a pivotal moment for Jennifer. Instead of simply stocking a shop with beautiful handmade Turkish textiles, a passion stirred in her to help save the art itself.
From those first nine weavers, Jennifer’s Hamam has grown to support nearly 600 traditional shuttled looms - reviving an art form many had already written off as lost. But while production has come back to life, one critical thread is still missing: teaching. In more than 40 years, no new generation has been trained. No apprentices. No home looms. No women at the loom.
That’s why Jennifer is fighting not just to preserve the craft—but to pass it on. Until her dream of a formal weaving school becomes reality, every piece woven today helps buy time for a tradition that has almost slipped through the cracks.
A culture’s soul is woven into its traditions. This one is hanging by a thread—but not if Jennifer has anything to say about it.
Help keep the thread alive →
"I was born in a tiny village in the province of Usak in 1969, into a family of weavers. My earliest memories are of sitting next to my mother, learning about fibres, fixing problems, and practicing how to pull the beater bar to achieve perfect tension. By the time I was nine, I was threading the loom, reaching the pedals, and weaving on my own.
At 15, my mother purchased all the textiles we needed, eliminating the need to weave at home, and removed the loom from our sitting room. After school, I would go to my father's workshops to continue learning. My father was an excellent weaver, and as I entered my 20s, I not only helped with weaving, but also managed the workshops. When my father passed away in 1995, I took over running them.
For a while, I managed to keep things going, but by the late 1990s, competing with the flood of factory-made textiles became increasingly difficult. My orders dwindled, and one by one, I was forced to close the workshops until only the last one remained. I felt shame and despair - not just for myself, but for letting my father down.
By the summer of 2009, I was overwhelmed, feeling as though I had failed everyone: myself, my father, and the generations of weavers who came before me. Then I met Miss Jennifer. It was shocking and almost unbelievable that she insisted on creations made solely on looms. We began working together, and for the first time in years, I felt hope. Weaving became possible again."
This rare video, filmed over a decade ago, offers a glimpse into a traditional home loom—built directly into the floor, with its base sunk below ground level and its upper frame rising into the living space. In many homes, the recessed area was lined with special clay to trap dust and help keep the sitting room clean.The woman weaving in the video was a master in her village, and the last known artisan to use such a loom in her home before it was removed. She was also the aunt of one of our current weavers, and graciously allowed Jennifer to film her as she worked—offering a rare opportunity to witness a tradition that has nearly vanished.Tragically, she passed away shortly after the recording, at the age of 79—leaving behind a legacy that lives on in this footage and in every thread we work to preserve. Today, Jennifer’s dream is to see women weaving in their homes again—reclaiming the knowledge passed down from mothers and grandmothers, and restoring the cultural heartbeat of Turkish textile heritage.
This rare video, filmed over a decade ago, offers a glimpse into a traditional home loom—built directly into the floor, with its base sunk below ground level and its upper frame rising into the living space. In many homes, the recessed area was lined with special clay to trap dust and help keep the sitting room clean.The woman weaving in the video was a master in her village, and the last known artisan to use such a loom in her home before it was removed. She was also the aunt of one of our current weavers, and graciously allowed Jennifer to film her as she worked—offering a rare opportunity to witness a tradition that has nearly vanished.Tragically, she passed away shortly after the recording, at the age of 79—leaving behind a legacy that lives on in this footage and in every thread we work to preserve. Today, Jennifer’s dream is to see women weaving in their homes again—reclaiming the knowledge passed down from mothers and grandmothers, and restoring the cultural heartbeat of Turkish textile heritage.
Weaving is one of the oldest textile-making techniques in human history—used for millennia to clothe bodies, warm homes, and express beauty. But this isn’t just ancient history: it’s an art form still alive today, in the hands of skilled artisans who carry centuries of knowledge thread by thread.
While machines can churn out fabric in minutes, they can’t match the soul of a handwoven piece. Each textile created on a traditional loom preserves not only time-honoured technique, but the human touch—something Jennifer has fought hard to protect in a world racing toward automation.
At its heart, weaving is the simple—but powerful—act of interlacing two sets of threads: warp and weft. The warp threads are stretched vertically on a loom, while the weft threads are woven side-to-side, creating a strong, balanced fabric.
It sounds straightforward, but the possibilities are endless. Texture, density, and pattern shift with each adjustment—making weaving not just a skill, but a language. One that speaks through the hands of the artisan, and tells a different story with every piece.
Looms come in many forms—ranging from simple backstrap looms used by traditional artisans across Asia, South America, and India, to the treadle looms of Ottoman textile history (not to be confused with carpet-making looms), all the way to massive mechanical looms in modern factories.
At Jennifer’s Hamam, however, only one type of loom is used: the traditional Nearly lost to mechanization, this method demands skill, patience, and a practiced rhythm—qualities that no machine can replicate. Every thread is placed by human hands, and every finished piece holds the unmistakable signature of a true artisan.
Our artisans work with a wide range of weaving techniques—both traditional and modern—to create textiles of exceptional beauty, strength, and character. Among the countless patterns in the weaving world, the six shown below highlight just a glimpse of the diversity and craftsmanship involved.
There’s the timeless simplicity of the Plain Weave, the dimensional texture of the Basket Weave, and the classic diagonal lines of Twill. For a softer, more luxurious feel, satin-style weaves like Crowfoot Satin, 5-Harness Satin, and 8-Harness Satin bring a silky elegance to the fabric’s finish.
Each weave offers its own distinct texture, durability, and aesthetic—but all share one thing in common: they carry the unmistakable mark of human hands and the heritage of a disappearing art form.
Unlike modern factory weaving—where machines handle every step—handwoven textiles are crafted with care and attention that no machine can replicate. The difference is not just aesthetic; it’s structural.
Here’s what sets handwoven fabrics apart:
Stronger, more durable weaves – Natural tension variations in hand-guided weaving create longer-lasting fabrics. This is especially noticeable when comparing machine-made terry towels to handwoven pieces made using the traditional looping technique.
Subtle, beautiful imperfections – Each item carries the signature of its maker, resulting in unique character and charm that mass-produced textiles lack.
Stronger local economies – Supporting hand weaving keeps money in rural communities, where it can have real impact and build more sustainable futures.
A direct connection to the maker – When you choose handmade, you honour the skill behind it and gain a deeper appreciation for the expertise required.
Higher-quality, healthier fibres – At Jennifer’s Hamam, we use only premium natural threads, processed using methods that are gentler on the environment—and better for your skin.
An investment in the future – Every handwoven piece supports the continuation of endangered skills and encourages a more conscious way of living.
These aren’t just textiles. They’re heirlooms in the making—crafted with heart, designed to last.
Creating a handwoven textile is a meticulous, multi-step process that requires skill, patience, and precision at every stage.
Preparing the Warp
The journey begins with choosing the warp threads for a specific project. Each thread sits on its own bobbin, and these bobbins are loaded onto a metal frame with rods to keep them aligned. The threads are then pulled through a large metal comb-like structure to maintain their order.
Next, the threads are grouped and attached to a rotating wooden or metal drum—something like a barrel with missing slats. As the drum turns, the threads are evenly wound onto it. This process is relatively straightforward for a single-colour warp (like ecru), but becomes significantly more complex when working with multiple colours. The artisan must arrange the bobbins in a precise order to form the intended pattern.
Once wound onto the wooden drum, the threads are transferred to a thick metal rod. Two artisans carefully insert sheets of newspaper between the layers to protect the roll from moisture and friction. The completed warp roll is then ready to be carried to the loom. Most flat-woven items require a single warp roll, but more advanced techniques—like double weave or the looping technique—require two.
Threading the Loom
Every single warp thread is now passed individually through thin metal heddles—wires with loops that resemble the eye of a needle. This precise sequence determines the weave’s final pattern. The threads are then pulled through a second comb-like section on the loom and wrapped onto a finishing pole at the base.
Depending on the loom’s width, this threading process can involve anywhere from 400 to 1,200 individual threads, often taking an entire day. For complex techniques like double weave or looping, this time and labour is doubled.
Weaving the Weft
With the loom fully threaded, weaving begins. The artisan uses a pulley system to shoot a shuttle back and forth while pressing foot pedals to adjust the position of the warp threads. As the warp and weft interlock, the fabric slowly takes form.
The overall pattern is determined by the initial warp setup and how the weaver manipulates the foot pedals. More advanced techniques—such as looping or double weave—require a high level of mastery, and only the most experienced artisans are able to execute them flawlessly.
Finishing Touches
Once the warp roll is finished, the woven fabric is cut from the loom. Depending on the type of textile, it may be washed before being cut into individual pieces. From there, the final touches begin: tassels are tied, every piece is carefully inspected for quality, and the textiles are packaged—ready to be loved for years to come.
Today, traditional hand-weaving faces an urgent and heartbreaking threat. As mass production floods the market with cheap, synthetic textiles, the artistry and integrity of handmade fabrics are quietly slipping away.
Synthetic fibres have become the industry standard—even as research mounts about their environmental and human health consequences. Microplastics from these fibres have been found in our oceans, our food, and even in human blood. They're linked to inflammation, respiratory issues, and suspected roles in a host of chronic health conditions. And yet, most modern textiles are still made from synthetic blends, designed for short-term use, then tossed into landfills—contributing to a mountain of global textile waste.
SOURCES:
Reuters - "Health Rounds: Microplastics may contribute to drug-resistant bacteria"
The Times UK - "We tested our blood for microplastics. This is what we found"
Very Well Health - "Are Microplastics Fuelling the Rise of Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults?"
Earth Org - "The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion, Explained"
European Parliament - "The impact of textile production and waste on the environment"
For the artisans, the toll has been just as devastating. As factory-made goods undercut handmade textiles, thousands of weavers were forced to abandon their looms. Many ended up in industrial jobs, exchanging a lifetime of artistry for long hours, low wages, and machine-paced monotony. The craft, once passed down through generations, began to vanish—along with the dignity of those who once practiced it.
From the beginning, Jennifer’s Hamam has been determined to reverse this trend. By partnering directly with Türkiye’s last master weavers, we’ve made it possible for artisans to return to their looms—and earn a living not just for the hours they work, but for the skill, care, and tradition woven into every piece they create.
But reviving the art isn’t enough. To truly preserve this endangered craft, it must be passed on. Jennifer’s vision for a weaving school will create a structured space where new generations—especially women—can learn the skills, techniques, and soul of traditional weaving. With proper training, mentorship, and resources, this school will become a living legacy, keeping ancient techniques alive and relevant in the modern world.
By choosing handwoven textiles, you become part of this story. You’re not just purchasing a towel or robe—you’re helping protect a centuries-old tradition, empower the artisans who uphold it, and build a more sustainable future with every thread.
When you purchase a handwoven piece, you are investing in:
Authenticity - Every piece is woven by hand, making it truly one of a kind. Subtle variations in the weave tell the story of the human hands behind the loom—evidence of a process that values patience, precision, excellence, and pride. These details are what create a connection to each special piece and set them apart from the coldness of factory-made goods.
Sustainability - Hand-weaving consumes significantly less energy than industrial processes. Our fibres are grown and processed organically in Türkiye—no long-distance shipping, no chemicals, and less water. The result? Textiles made from materials that don’t harm the earth, last longer, stay out of landfills, and biodegrade quickly when their time finally comes.
Community - Supporting traditional weaving sustains rural economies. Your purchase helps skilled artisans continue their craft with dignity—strengthening families, reducing migration, and keeping communities rooted.
Cultural Heritage - Traditional weaving techniques carry centuries of knowledge and artistry that need preserving. Each piece represents not just craft, but cultural memory—a thread connecting the past to the present, and hopefully, the future.
Jennifer's Hamam
125 Arasta Bazaar
&
Ogul Sok. NO: 20
Jennifer's Collection
135 Arasta Bazaar
Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul
Türkiye
January - February
8:30am - 8:00pm
Istanbul time
March-December
8:30am - 10:00pm
Istanbul time
