Meet Jane Stafford

For over 40 years, Jane has had the great fortune of doing what she loves most—weaving and sharing her passion for excellence in cloth.

A Lifetime of Weaving

Jane’s foray into weaving started at the age of 21, when she purchased a new Fanny loom with the help of a chattel mortgage on her 1976 Chevette.

Before two years had passed, Jane was accepted as an ambitious – though possibly under-qualified – student at the Banff Center for Arts and Creativity. In another two years, Jane became a teaching assistant at the Banff Centre, and after a few more, she became an instructor there.

She is proud to have been mentored by some of the most well-respected names in the world of weaving, and by many lesser known (though not lesser talented!) elders who generously passed on their incredible wisdom and knowledge they cultivated in guilds and in their homes.

After Jane left Banff, she became a highly prolific production weaver and sought-after workshop instructor. Renowned for her enthusiasm and fun approach to weaving, coupled with her extensive knowledge of the craft, Jane became one of the weaving world’s most well-respected and entertaining teachers.

She has introduced countless weavers to the possibilities of colour and design in cloth. She has worked closely with Louet, one of the world’s most respected loom manufacturers, collaborating in the design of the Louet Jane Loom (there’s a reason Louet’s table loom is named “Jane”), and helping thousands of weavers learn to use Louet looms on instructional DVDs.

For many years Jane taught exclusively in her studio on beautiful Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Weavers came from all over the continent to attend JST’s famous weaving retreats, which contributed to Jane’s being named Teacher of the Year by Handwoven magazine in 2014. In fact, the retreats and classes became so popular that waitlists became longer than the capacity of students could ever be in the classes.

In 2016, rather than continue to turn students away, Jane created the JST Online Guild, now known as the Jane Stafford School of Weaving, a streamable weaving resource viewed by thousands of weavers around the world. Based on an ongoing curriculum of weaving and weave structures, the School of Weaving is a resource that allows anyone, anywhere access to Jane’s workshops from the comfort of their own home. The JST website sells yarns, kits, looms and weaving accessories and supports an online community of weavers around the world.

Now in its 10th season, the School of Weaving, under Jane’s tutelage, continues to thrive and grow in community, spirit, and number of projects woven around the world.

Jane Throughout the Years

It all began...

In Thunder Bay, Ontario. Jane took her first weaving workshop with Jan Korteweg, a master weaver from the OHS. Here Jane is wearing her first woven poncho. She wishes she still had it!

Off to Banff!

In 1981, Jane began her studies at the Banff Centre, where she stayed until 1988.

Summer of 1983

Jane became a teaching assistant at the Banff Centre in the fibre department. Here she is with guest instructor Jean Meketiak, an expert in Ukrainian Weaving.

Weaving on the go!

In 1989 Jane had settled on Salt Spring Island, where she joined the local guild and happily did demonstrations in the park.

Jane and Mary

Mary Andrews was Jane's weaving mentor throughout the years, starting 1981 in Banff. They remained lifelong friends.

JST on the road!

Jane was known for her beautiful booths when she attended conferences.

Mohair jacket - 1992

This photo was taken in Cowichan Bay, where Jane had her first store, called the Red Door Studio. Mohair blankets were Jane's main production line, and sometimes they got made into jackets!