For over one thousand years, velvet textiles were woven by hand with great ingenuity and artistry. This book recounts a transcontinental story of their development into one of the most beautiful, luxurious, and economically important products of the medieval and Renaissance periods, in constant demand at courts throughout Europe and Asia. Velvet expert Landry offers a consistent theory of the origin and spread of this weaving technique and the technological innovations that accompanied it. She draws from her lengthy personal expertise as a practicing weaver and scholar, examining, analyzing, and engaging in the techniques and technologies in order to excavate the intrinsic ideas and knowledge embedded in the craft of velvet weaving. The instructions feature techniques and equipment accessible to ordinary handweavers and introduce ways to attain complex results without complex equipment. This will be a valuable resource for weavers, textile scholars, and curators for years to come.

A colorful guided tour from an expert, enabling weavers, textile lovers, and art lovers to notice and appreciate what tapestries can do and how they do it. This guide from expert tapestry weaver and historian Sidore gives how-to strategies enabling weavers and nonweavers to notice and appreciate the meaning of these artworks. You'll discover much to enjoy in photos of more than 300 tapestries from the 12th to the 21st centuries. Sidore enables you to think about the weavings in ways you have never before considered as she groups pieces that talk with each other-and that also converse with the viewer. Enjoy learning basic elements of weaving to help you become increasingly sophisticated in understanding what you're seeing. Then, learn seven ways in which tapestries can call attention to themselves as cloth. This eye-opening guide to seeing explains the great range of materials and visual themes, the use of trompe l'oeil, the importance of the direction in which the weaver weaves, and more. After this learning experience, you'll bring smarter eyes to your museum wandering, deeper enjoyment to your collection and purchases, and surprising new skills and creativity to your weaving of fibers . . . and of life.

Potholder looms can make so much more than potholders! You can weave on these popular looms using the traditional loops or with nearly any yarn to make a variety of patterns, including Plain Weave, Twill, and Checkerboard. You can also weave shapes other than squares, such as rectangles and triangles. This variety of options means you can weave just the modules you need to make projects from wall hangings to place mats, runners, baskets, and more. Noreen teaches and explains each step of the techniques and projects in full detail, with photos, so even if you have never woven before, you'll easily be able to accomplish any project in this book. Tapestry weaving is also fun on the potholder loom, and Noreen shows you how with detailed instructions for setting up your loom and working tapestry techniques. Start with the Tapestry Sampler and then try your hand at personalized wall dolls, colourful wall hangings, and decorative art pieces. All you need to know for successful weaving on your potholder loom is in this comprehensive book!

Almost all fabrics, whether woven or knitted, are produced from spun thread. However, this thread or yarn, produced by the spinning operation, either by a hand spinner using the simplest drop spindle or spinning wheel, or spun on the latest automated spinning frame, is rarely in a form suitable to be used immediately for producing a fabric. A broad range of tasks must be undertaken before the actual fabric production is reached. "Yarn Preparation" is concerned with the preparation of yarns which have been spun from staple fibres, and describes the post-spinning processes prior to fabric manufacture, such as yarn doubling, winding and spinning. Covers the operations to consider when producing a fabric by even the most basic of techniques. The information on basic processes, machinery and equipment should assist those people involved in the production of fabrics by showing ways to improve the quality to the end product. Includes a list of suppliers, sources of further information and a reading list. This is a valuable book which fills the need for a practical manual specifically about yarn preparation. Much has been published about the main textile areas of yarn manufacture and fabric production (both weaving and knitting), because yarn preparation tends to be a series of link operations, there have been very few books specifically directed to this area of processing. The "Small-Scale Textiles" series aims to present basic information about all aspects of small-scale textile manufacture from raw rmaterials to finished products, and will be of use to fieldworkers, development agencies, and those starting small-scale manufacture or attempting to improve or extend manufacture.

Weaving Textiles That Shape Themselves sounds like a contradiction in terms, but this book sets out to show how textiles can do precisely that: shape themselves. Weaving with high-twist yarns and contrasting materials can create fabrics with lively textures and elastic properties. Although these fabrics are flat on the loom, they are transformed by washing - water releases the energy of the different yarns and the fabrics 'organize themselves' into crinkled or pleated textures.

The basic principles of spinning are described by the text and line drawings, and are supplemented by descriptions of methods of testing spun yarn quality; different types of small-scale spinning machines; and how to plan (Published in the Small-scale Textiles series).

This easy, accessible, and fun approach to basket making offers instructions for 18 beautiful and useful baskets. Beginning with simple basket designs and progressing to more-advanced techniques, you build new skills with each project. Follow along from one to the next, or jump ahead to the more advanced baskets to expand your intermediate skills. The practical projects include a market basket, square-to-round storage basket, spiral twill basket, catch-all bathroom basket, cat-head bowl, and many others. Instructions for adding embellishments, color, and shaping are included to help new basketmakers turn a project into a personal treasure. A chart for designing your own market baskets in six different sizes is invaluable, and photos of work by today's top basketmakers serve as inspiration. This book is the ideal guide for anyone interested in learning to make handbuilt baskets.

Add Shadow Weave to your repertoire with Susan Kesler-Simpson's easy-to-follow instructions. Susan's approach is to first break down the structure of Shadow Weave so that any level weaver can understand how alternating light and dark threads in both warp and weft can present a dominant motif outlined with an identical shadow. She walks you through how the structure builds and weaves, and once you comprehend how the weave structure works, you will be able to weave any of the 25 project patterns in the book. You will also have the knowledge to transform other drafts to Shadow Weave, or to design your own Shadow Weave pattern.

What better way to welcome that precious, tiny new person than with a luxurious, handwoven blanket! These beautiful, colourful designs will appeal to today's contemporary moms, as well as lovers of traditional weaves. More than 30 snuggly cosy projects for baby. Plain weaves and fancy weaves, for everyday or special occasions. How to choose the best materials. Projects for both 4 harness and 8 harness looms.

Designed for modern makers looking for a book that will continue to inspire them as their skill grows. Lindsey Campbell, the weaver behind the popular blog and brand Hello Hydrangea, teaches more than 30 techniques plus 17 stylish projects for beginners to intermediate-level weavers. With 400+ detailed photos, Campbell offers just the right blend of learning, encouragement, and great weaving results. An easy tutorial helps you make your own loom that can be used to complete each project. Learn basic terms and skills for beginner weavers, such as warp and weft, and how to keep your sides straight. Sections on intermediate techniques and concepts, such as patterns and how to add embellishments, give you room to grow your skills. Weave 17 projects meant to inspire ongoing creativity, from simple practice tapestries to woven projects such as a necklace and (yes) a chandelier.

Create ten animal designs using these fun and accessible string art techniques! String art can be created by artists of all ages and abilities with a minimum of fuss and materials. With the 100 nails, three colors of string, and foam board included in this kit, you'll be able to make an attractive fox design to hang on your wall by following the step-by-step instructions. The project book also shows how to make nine other animal designs using string art, including a cat, dog, penguin, llama, and more. Tips on how to create your own designs and wind various colors of string will inspire you to continue your exploration of this accessible art form.

Unplug yourself-and any children in your life-and enjoy the art of weaving at the small-scale level with the fun, accessible potholder loom. Familiar to many from their childhood, simple square potholder looms hold stretchy fabric loops that are woven to create practical gifts or handy trivets for your own kitchen. There are a world of designs that you can create with your color and pattern choices, and most potholders take less than an hour from loom to done. Enjoy choosing from 140 patterns that can be woven on any standard potholder loom or on the PRO loom, resulting in colorful, practical works of art-and a joyful escape into creativity! Along with the exciting patterns for two-color to eight-color squares, be inspired by ideas for enjoying potholder weaving as a group activity, or as a fundraiser for schools, clubs, and other organizations.

Modern makers who have learned the basics of weaving can rejoice with this next-steps guide from Lindsey Campbell, the weaver behind the popular blog and brand Hello Hydrangea. Her trademark style, which powers the popularity of her first book, Welcome to Weaving, helps you take your creativity and your enthusiasm to the next level of style. Learn ways to expand your weaving with 11 intermediate to advanced level techniques like draping, deflected double weave, waffle weave, vertical soumak, and more. With 400+ detailed photos, Campbell offers just the right blend of learning, encouragement, and great weaving results. An easy tutorial helps you make your own loom that can be used to complete each project. Weave 13 projects meant to inspire ongoing creativity, including tapestries featuring more advanced methods as well as creations like woven pillows, a vest, and a swoon-worthy rug.

Although less well known than its much-admired counterparts in Peru and Bolivia, highland Ecuadorian weaving is an Andean tradition that has relationships with these more southern areas. A world away from the industrialized textile manufacturing of Euro-American society, these handmade pieces reflect the history and artistry of an ancient culture.

This comprehensive study, edited by Ann Pollard Rowe, is unrivaled in its detail and includes not only descriptions of the indigenous weaving and dyeing technology, but also an interpretation of its historical significance, as well as hundreds of photographs, drawings, and maps that inform the understanding of the process.

The principal focus is on backstrap-loom weaving, a major pre-Hispanic technology. Ecuadorian backstrap looms, which differ in various ways from those found elsewhere in the Andes, have previously only been treated in general terms. Here, the basic operation of this style of loom is covered, as are a variety of patterning techniques including warp-resist (ikat) dyeing, weaving belts with twill, and supplementary- and complementary-warp patterning. Spanish colonial treadle-loom weaving is also covered. The weaving techniques are explained in detail, so the reader can replicate them if desired.

Textiles have been an important art form among Andean peoples from remote prehistory up to the present. A greater understanding of their creation process can yield a more meaningful appreciation of the art itself.

Master weaver Tom Knisely presents patterns and ideas to spruce up your table with new weaves Tom Knisely, author of bestseller Rag Rug Weaving and Handwoven Baby Blankets, has now turned his attention to one of the most popular categories of weaving: table linens. Placemats, runners, tablecloths, and napkins play a central role in creating the look of a dining room or kitchen table, and this book gives you the tools needed to realize your vision for these special items. Tom has found inspiration from things as varied as china patterns, a classic Spode Christmas tree, and traditional weaving patterns such as Shadow Weave, Wheel of Fortune, and Star of Bethlehem. For each pattern, he outlines the materials you need, how to set up your loom, and the pattern to weave. Add your own dash of inspiration if you choose different colors, and make each piece your own. The 27 patterns include simple weaves worked on 2- and 4-harness looms, as well as more complex weaves requiring more harnesses. Because Tom is at heart a teacher, he also chose each project with the thought that it should add to your weaving repertoire in some way. The techniques you learn as you work on the projects in this book are things that you can adapt and use down the road in future weaving.