Biography

Eva-Liisa Kriis is an Estonian Weaving Technologist, textile researcher and educator specializing in historical weaving technology, textile reconstruction, historical dobby and drawlooms, computerized weaving systems and textile heritage.

For more than two decades she has worked at the intersection of textile technology, education, cultural heritage and product development. Her professional practice combines historical textile research with contemporary weaving technologies, creating a bridge between traditional craftsmanship and modern textile production.

Eva-Liisa is the founder of IIDA Studio, IIDA Weaving School and the IIDA Weaving Museum, where she has assembled and documented one of Estonia's most comprehensive collections of historical mechanical dobby looms and weaving technology. Through research, restoration, documentation and practical reconstruction, she contributes to preserving historical weaving knowledge while making it accessible to contemporary weavers, researchers and students.

Her research focuses on the technological analysis and reconstruction of historical Estonian textiles. By combining the study of original museum textiles with experimental weaving, she investigates weave structures, yarn characteristics, loom technologies and historical manufacturing processes. This research supports the reconstruction of both historical linen and woollen textiles, as well as the identification of the weaving technologies used in their production.

Eva-Liisa has taught weaving technology at the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Olustvere School of Service and Rural Economics, Tallinn Folk High School, and through numerous professional workshops and international textile events. Her teaching includes weaving technology, weave structures, computerized weaving, WeavePoint software, textile product development and historical weaving techniques.

Alongside her educational work, Eva-Liisa has established professional weaving studios equipped with computerized AVL weaving technology, developed textile products and produced educational resources for textile professionals. Her publications include books, instructional DVDs and articles focusing on weaving technology, weave structures and textile design.

She is an active member of the European Textile Network, the Estonian Textile Artists Association, the Estonian Designers Association, the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union and Nordic Textile Art. She regularly participates in international research collaborations, professional training programmes, conferences and textile heritage projects across Europe.

Her current work focuses on historical weaving technology, historical loom systems, textile education and the preparation of a comprehensive bilingual publication on weaving technology.