How to Make Weaving Tablets

I love tablet weaving, and over the past couple of years I’ve built up a collection of weaving tablets from a variety of makers. While I love all these tablets, I recently decided I needed to learn how to make my own tablets. Tablets are easy to purchase online and, if you’re lucky, at local weaving-supply shops—so why would you want to learn to make your own?

• If you want to start a project and don’t have enough tablets—or you’re completely new to tablet weaving—you won’t have to wait for an online order to ship. If you make your own tablets, you can get started weaving right away.
• Forgot your tablets at home while on vacation? You can find the simple tools needed to make tablets at many stores, so it’s easy to make a set even when you’re away from home.
• With handmade tablets, you can customize their size and how they’re labeled.
• Want to teach somebody to tablet weave, but don’t want to risk losing any of your precious tablets? Make them a set—or teach them how to make their own!
• It’s a great way to upcycle old playing cards that might otherwise get thrown away.
• Sometimes during tablet warping and weaving, tablets get damaged. With homemade, upcycled tablets, it won’t hurt as much if one gets bent or ripped.

I’ve also found I enjoy the process of making the tablets—plus there’s just something really lovely about using a tool you’ve made yourself. I’m sure I’m not alone, so I’ve written out my tried-and-tested step-by-step method of making tablets in this subscriber-exclusive tutorial. (Not a subscriber yet? Check out the different tiers and benefits here.) Let's get started!

Supplies

Making your own weaving tablets (sometimes called weaving cards) is extremely simple. First, gather your supplies:

• 1 pack of sturdy cards
• At least 1 permanent marker (standard fine tip and ultrafine both work)
• Hole punch tool
• Straightedge ruler
• Scissors

Other optional “nice to have” supplies include a corner-rounder punch tool (you can find these in the scrapbooking section of many craft stores), 3–4 permanent markers in different colors, 3–4 rolls of washi tape in different colors/designs, and paint markers or white out.