Call for Submissions Fall 2026: Musical Weaving

According to Shakespeare, music is the food of love, and we’d like to think it’s also the perfect inspiration for beautiful weaving. For the Fall 2026 issue, we’ll be exploring the theme of music in weaving and design. We’ll be looking for cloth inspired by songs or musical genres as well as items for musicians.

Project Ideas and Inspiration

For our music-themed issue we’re challenging weavers to find creative ways to interpret the theme in their designs. For example, we’d love to see pieces inspired by specific songs, artists, or musical genres. Projects like this might include:

• Baltic-style pick-up or tablet-woven band inspired by folk music
• Piano-key scarf or runner
• A multi-hued shawl inspired by Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors”
• Purple table linens fit for a Prince

We’re also looking for projects for musicians and music lovers alike, especially if they can double as useful items for anyone.

• Straps for stringed instruments
• Tote bag for sheet music or the farmer’s market
• Small pouch for guitar picks that can double as a change purse
• An opera shawl for performers or attendees
• Runner for the top of a piano or your dinner table

Angela Tong’s Purple Rain Scarf is a great example of how a project’s palette can evoke images of a specific artist.

Project Specifications and Palette

When you’re designing projects, we ask that you follow specific guidelines. All projects should be woven using a rigid-heddle, pin, tapestry, or band loom. Designers should use the issue palette, which can be found here. Projects can include colors not on the palette, but most colors should be from the palette. More submission guidelines can be found here.

Also, please note that projects that use discontinued yarns will not be accepted. Hand-dyed yarns will be allowed as long as either the yarn is available for sale or instructions are given in the project for dyeing the yarn.

Submission Process and Paperwork

Please use our Little Looms submission form for proposals. On the form, you’ll need to include project or article-specific information including any drawings, outlines, photos, or charts to help us better envision your final project. Please use the email address below for any questions or inquiries that won’t fit into our submission form.

We base our project selections for each issue on contributor photographs. Please include a photo or photos of the finished item or of items you’ve woven that are most similar to the item you propose to weave for the issue. We will review the proposals and ask for additional photographs if needed. After the project-selection meeting, we will contact everyone whose project is accepted and ask that it be submitted along with the project paperwork.

Editorial email: handwoven@longthreadmedia.com

Key Dates

• Proposals for projects (including preliminary photos) and articles due: 9/8/2025
• Additional photographs of projects due: 11/3/25
• Non-project article text and photographs due: 12/15/25
• Physical projects with paperwork due: 12/15/25

We are looking forward to seeing your proposals for projects and articles!

Happy weaving!

Christina