FAQ
Learn about booking classes, navigating class packages and accessibility at our studios. You may also find the answer to your question in our Studio Policies.
Booking Your Class
We ask that all class bookings (except last-minute reservations) be made online to help prevent errors that can occur with phone or manual reservations.
There are two ways to book:
- Most classes can be reserved instantly online through our automated booking system.
- Certain classes, such as Spinning and Felting, require scheduling directly with a specific instructor. These can be arranged via the inquiry form on their respective class pages.
If you cannot find a class listed in the menu, please contact us by email.
Online reservations close 24 hours before class time, but spots may still be available.
Please contact us directly during business hours:
UES: 212-722-2686
DUMBO: 718-734-2307
Or email us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
We have two brick-and-mortar studios in New York: our original Upper East Side location (since 2008) and our newer DUMBO, Brooklyn studio (since 2019).
The UES Studio is in Yorkville, a safe, lively neighborhood with many families. It’s easily accessible from Grand Central and Penn Station via the 4, 5, 6, and Q subway lines at the nearby 86th Street stations, with convenient train connections from Queens, Westchester, and New Jersey. Frequent cross-town buses also connect the West Side to Yorkville through Central Park.
If driving, find street parking or use one of the nearby parking garages:
The DUMBO Studio is in a historic neighborhood just a few blocks from the F-line station. You can also reach it via the A and C subway lines or the NYC Ferry, followed by a scenic 12-minute walk. For an added adventure, consider crossing the Brooklyn Bridge from Lower Manhattan before heading to the studio.
If driving, find street parking or use one of the nearby parking garages:
We offer three 2-hour classes every day except Mondays, starting at 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 4:00 pm.
Our All Day Zen Session gives you up to seven hours of weaving in a single day, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
The Kids Fiber Arts Club meets weekly during the school term at 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday.
Spinning and Felting classes are available by appointment only and are scheduled within our three regular class time slots.
Classes held outside our regular hours incur a 25% additional fee.
Unless you have reserved a private class, all sessions are shared with other students. Our classes are not taught in a way that requires everyone to follow the same project or pace. We provide individual guidance so each student can focus on their own creative process.
Capacity: UES Studio – 7 students | DUMBO Studio – 12 students
If you wish to reserve the studio exclusively, you can book a private class, which allows you to bring multiple guests.
- Open your confirmation email (not your receipt) and use the green RESCHEDULE/CANCEL link to make changes.
- If the link doesn’t work, the free reschedule/cancellation window may have passed—please email us instead.
- You can reschedule your class within the time window up to 2 times.
- Refunds are processed manually and depend on timing.
- To avoid penalties and help keep classes full, you can also find a replacement participant.
See our Studio Policies page for full details.
During Your Class
Our studios offer a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere where you can unwind from the busy world.
- Upon entering the Zen weaving dojo, please remove your shoes.
- Drinks should be left in the designated areas.
- If you have any concerns before class, our friendly staff are happy to help.
- We recommend bringing socks, water, and a bag to take your work home.
- When sharing a class with other students, please avoid loud conversations or phone calls to maintain a focused and personal environment. (Private group reservations are exempt.)
Yes, please remove your shoes before entering the weaving dojo. In keeping with the Zen practice tradition, we follow the Japanese custom of taking off shoes. We also avoid using the loom pedals with shoes on for hygiene reasons. The floors and loom pedals are clean for everyone to use. If you cannot remove your shoes, we provide disposable shoe covers—please ask us. We recommend bringing socks or slippers if you prefer not to go barefoot.
If you are only running a few minutes late, don’t worry, we can start whenever you arrive. If you are considerably late, please call to let us know ASAP. Please be mindful that if you are late we cannot make up that time at the end of class, as we only have 30 minutes between classes.
We know your furry friends want to join you in the studio. But please understand that some of the students in the class are unfamiliar with them, so let's relax by leaving them at home. Service dogs are allowed.
Of course! Please feel free to leave the studio at any point to get coffee/lunch, or even just to walk around. We definitely recommend taking breaks and breathing fresh air.
Only one person is allowed to weave per loom so that each person can experience their personal creative journey. The woven piece expresses your unique self and therefore cannot be shared with anyone else.
We recommend that you go offline and unplug to enjoy your time! If you really need the WiFi before or after the class, please ask us. Please refrain from talking on the phone during class.
After Your Class
Congratulations! You have discovered the beauty of Zen weaving. If you’d like to explore your creativity further, we recommend our Project-Based Classes or Advanced Classes. These classes are offered as pre-purchased packages, allowing you to deepen your practice and understanding of Zen weaving.
No advanced skills are required to join. During these sessions, we provide guidance on new techniques and materials at your own pace. In Advanced Classes, there’s no need to cut your piece at the end of each session—you can continue weaving a single piece over multiple sessions using the same warp, if you wish.
If it is a tapestry piece, you don’t need to wash it. If it is a scarf or another wearable, we encourage you to wash it to discover a soft texture. Use our washing instructions.
Please do! And if you do, please tag us @loopoftheloom, we love seeing our students’ posts and reading the lovely comments people write about their experience.
Class Packages
You must purchase the package before scheduling any classes. After your purchase, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a unique package code and a link to the scheduling page.
Use the link and your code to choose the time and date for each class. You can schedule all your classes at once or as you go. We recommend scheduling all classes in advance.
If you can’t find the confirmation email, check your junk folder. If it’s still missing, please email us.
If your preferred time or date is unavailable, it may already be fully booked. Email us to check—sometimes we can accommodate special requests.
You cannot add single classes to extend an Advanced Package; please purchase a new package if you wish to continue.
If you just need a little extra time to finish your project, you may extend your session on the last day for $20 per 30 minutes, subject to space availability.
All classes in a package must be used before the package’s expiration date. This ensures that everyone has access to our limited storage space and equipment.
After the expiration date, any unused classes are removed from the system and cannot be recovered.
If you have vacation plans or other extenuating circumstances, please schedule all classes within your package term first, and then reschedule any classes as needed—we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
For Kids
Our Kids Fiber Arts Club runs during the school term, Tuesday - Friday at 4 pm. We reserve your child's spot for the same time and day of the week throughout the semester. The package is 16 classes in a 2-semester system; we recommend buying it again for the next semester.
Although the classes are mixed with other students, each child will be working on their projects. We will help them choose projects to work on based on their skill and development level, and closely supervise them throughout. They will learn techniques of fiber arts while growing their creative spirit.
Please be mindful that these consecutive classes are not playdates, even though they are fun.
From our experience, while 4- to 5-year-olds can be very creative and capable, they may not yet be ready to work on larger projects that span multiple classes. We recommend waiting until age 6 for the 2-hour Intro Session, and 8 for Project-based Classes.
Parents are encouraged to take a coffee break or run errands while their children enjoy the loom. We do not allow parents to stay in the studio to supervise, except for birthday parties. Children naturally have an uninhibited creative spirit, and giving them space helps them create freely.
However, if a child does not follow our rules, we may ask parents or babysitters to stay in the waiting area.
Only the Advanced Package can be shared with siblings, not for the Kids Fiber Arts Club and Project-based Packages. Parents, friends, or cousins cannot share class packages.
However, we offer a 5% discount for second or more siblings who wish to have their own Kids Fiber Arts Club. Use code SIBLING at checkout to apply the discount.
Accessibility
We support the talents and artistic activities of people with disabilities, and we celebrate their accomplishments. Our studio runs inclusive classes for all abilities, and we can optimize our looms with special attachments and tools to suit your needs with no extra fee. Please feel free to contact us regarding any specific arrangements. If you prefer a completely quiet environment, ask us about scheduling a private session with an additional fee.
If you would like to implement Zen weaving at your facility or special school, please contact the non-profit organization Intertwine Arts.
Our DUMBO studio is fully accessible! There are no steps at all, so wheelchair users can come to class with courage! We have long been ashamed of the inaccessibility for wheelchair passengers at our UES studio, as it has stairs to enter the studio.
When booking a class, please use the ‘Notes’ section at checkout to let us know if you have any physical requirements. We are happy to prepare a more accessible loom to make your experience comfortable and enjoyable.
Weaving at our studio is a very low difficulty and low energy-level activity, and still very exciting! Any age and physical ability will enjoy the gentle rhythm of the loom. Please write us a note when booking if you'd like us to make any accommodations to your loom (ex. if you'd like a a taller loom). Our chairs have backs and cushions, but if you have difficulty keeping your sitting position, you can bring a pillow for additional support and comfort.
Even if you are injured, have a cast on one hand or leg, or have reduced vision, our looms invite you into the world of weaving. You don't have to give up having fun.
No worries! Weaving is easy to follow just by observing our demonstrations. Our classes are held in English but most of our staff also speak Japanese. Please write us a note when booking if Japanese would be preferable for you.
We carry many wool-mixed and luxury wool yarn and fibers in the studio, so if you have a serious wool allergy by inhaling or touching, we would unfortunately advise you to reconsider your visit our studio.
If you feel itchy in woolen clothes or scarves, we can assist you in avoiding the use of wool. Our warps are made of cotton, and we can show you which of our yarns are cotton or other non-wool fibers.
Still have a question? Please don't hestitate to ask.