WIF stands for "weaving information file." It's a universal file used in weaving design software. The magazine Handwoven often supplies WIFs for its projects so you can download the draft and play with it on your computer. See Handwoven's article for more details and a list of programs currently available. As of June 2026, weaving drafts for free projects on this website are generated with TempoWeave.
We strongly recommend WIFs and weaving design software for weavers who
- want to modify weaving drafts from magazines or Internet sources
- like to design their own textiles
- use a table loom—some programs will let you convert the treadling to a lift plan
- frequently weave with more than 8 shafts—there are fewer published weaving drafts for multishaft looms
- have a dobby loom with an electronic or Computer 2.0 dobby—some software will actually operate the dobby