No comments about Southwestern Indian Baskets: Their History and Their Makers (Studies in American Indian Art).

1 comments about The Guide to Basket Weaving: Creative Weaving with Coconut Palms.

1. Please do not waste you money on this one. The photos showing the weaving process are too small and too poorly lighted to be of much good. There are several types of baskets listed in the table of contents but they are only 4 baskets that are truely different. In other words, there is some variation on a theme, but really only 4 true types. If you are a weaver of beginning level, you will have a great deal of difficulty learning anything from this book. If you are an advanced weaver, you will find this book simply annoying. It is a pretty book at first glance and nicely printed, but the publisher should have insisted that the money effort go into better photos and well written instructions. The author should have had the photographer that shot the cover also shoot the step-by-step instructional photos inside the book instead of using his brother's photos. Any other palm frond weaving book would be a better buy than this one.

5 comments about Mastering Weave Structures: Transforming Ideas into Great Cloth.

1. I bought this book at the same time I purchased Twill Thrills, and couldn't tell you which one I like better. Mastering Weave Structures is a must have for every weaver, especially new weavers, or anyone wanting a better understanding of why things look the way they do, and how to make something look the way you want it to. Loads of beautiful pictures are inspiring. A great book for weavers of all levels.



2. Alderman is one of those rare combinations of artist AND teacher. The photographs grab you first. The charts are clear. The explanations are detailed enough for beginners. The various weave structures are charted for 2-, 3-, 4- 6-, 8-, and more-harnesses, as each structure may allow. Those new to weaving might find the directions less intimidating if they read the first two chapters before skimming the later chapters; the explanations will make more sense. This is a good boost to your creativity as well as a source to better understand weave structures.



3. I was very impressed by this book. I just picked it up a few days ago, and already have a much better understanding of what in a weave structure makes stable cloth, what to expect from different weaves in terms of draping and breathe-ability, working with Z and S-spun yarns, and even a bit about what to expect from different fibers (although this is not the focus of the book.) The construction of this book is also excellent--it's a heavy, hardbound book with coated paper and clear, well-shot photography. I'm excited to have this in my weaving library and highly recommend it.



4. Outstanding study & discussion of weave structure and it's affect such as drape, rigidity, uses. Not only includes study of weave structure but also includes her extensive study of color & fiber and their affects. Highly recommended for even the advanced weaver who weaves complex patterns. Nice reminder of some concepts I've forgotten. Not a pattern book. Sharon has stimulated me to reach beyond the known to the unknown.



5. As a weaver, this text is helping me understand both the "what" & "why" of such things as warping & designing, as well as the total weaving process.What were before a series of steps to be mechanically followed,as in warping, now make sense in a grand way. This text has allowed me to begin "taking control" of the overall weaving process. It is giveing me the confidence to venture beyond previous limits & repititions of "The Known". The knowledge within the covers of this book is converting "MYSTERIES" into "Aha! So THAT is how it's done!" This new KNOWLEDGE has opened the door to NEW ADVENTURES in weaving for me!
   And finally,Amazon's bargain price & free shipping made my purcahase possible.

No comments about American Baskets: A Cultural History of a Traditional Domestic Art.

1 comments about Handwoven Laces.

1. This book was a nice addition to my weaving library. It inspires me to weave open patterns.

2 comments about Rug Weaving Techniques: Beyond the Basics.

1. Twenty-two years after his famous "Techniqes of Rug Weaving", Collingwood produced a worthy sequel in this 1990 book, full of new ideas. Close-up photos of small samples, large detailed diagrams, and clearly-written text convey Collingwood's enthusiasm for his craft and lead the weaver through the methods needed to achieve some truly stunning effects, useful not just for rug weavers but for anyone interested in unusual handweaving methods. (Another book to seek is "Small Webs", a Danish (?) book for users of small table looms who want to create things no machine could produce.) The author's suggestions for altering and strengthening a loom struck me as sensible, especially since the loom I use was handmade by a musician friend from parts that were almost entirely "found objects" -- it includes bean poles and a post from a fallen street sign.

   Large-format hc with color dust jacket, 160pp.




2. so please to receive this classic used book in new condition...and so reasonably and quickly..

3 comments about A Manual of Fingerweaving.

1. The long wait for new material on Indian fingerweaving has finally paid off. This manual not only picks up where Alta Turner's Indian Fingerweaving left off, but pretty much covers everything she wrote some 20 yrs ago (save for the peruvian braiding). This manual is great for the beginners as well as more advanced weaver who want to pick up a few tips and tricks to create beautiful warp face and oblique woven sashes. Color plates and bountiful instruction are presented in the lessons and as well for those who are interested in learning the selvedge edge methods. There are many color plates as well as illustrations to help with comprehension. In the back you will find a slew of old b&w pics of the old-time pow wow straight dancers in their regalia and sashes. It features a color plate of the earliest extant example of warp face weaving from the late 18th century, not to mention all the other awe inspiring beauties! It doesn't just stop at weaving it includes instructions on how to weave in the tiny white beads (as opposed to sewing them in), beading the fringes, and the twisting and braiding of the fringe itself.. This is the perfect book that both modern style and historical style weavers will not want to miss.



2. Based on a very positive previous review, I anticipated a beginner-level manual with many basic patterns, detailed weaving instructions for each pattern, suggestions for variations, and more advanced information which would go beyond the excellent finger weaving book by Turner I already have. None of my expectations were met. Much of the photograph is amateurish, the patterns are few, and the instructions are vague and poorly illustrated. The inexpensive booklet by Turner does all of this in a much more appealing way. I would suggest that the next book to supplement or go beyond Turner's book is one by Gerald Findley and not this book. The only value to this book in my opinion is that it does have a very nice discussion of the craft and some historical pictures of Native Americans wearing finger woven regalia. This was not what I was primarily looking for. Finger Weaving: Indian Braiding Fingerweaving Basics



3. HAHA (yes I had to title it that), If you are interested in maybe trying weaving then this book would be a great starting place for you. Plus I am really amazed at what you can do with some string and your fingers, very informative and all directions are very clear and easy to follow.

2 comments about Contemporary Wicker Basketry: Projects, Techniques, Inspirational Designs.

1. I thought that Flo wrote the "bible" on round reed baskets with her first book and she has out-done herself with this 2nd one. If you are experienced at making baskets with round reed and you want a challenge, get this book. If you need a good reference to start with simpler baskets, get her first one. This book has some stunning baskets. She gives excellent illustrations and directions anyone can follow. As a teacher of basketry I would not be without it for reference and a source for many beautiful baskets for my students to make.



2. This Basket book has baskets to make for all skill levels.
   Some are more intrakit. some are very plain, but very pretty
   for every day use. This book has very good picture for instruction of the various weaves. I take a class in basket making and one of the other students had the book and I knew I
   needed this book to make baskets. It also has colored pictures which I like.

2 comments about Maya Hair Sashes Backstrap Woven in Jacaltenango, Guatemala / Cintas mayas tejidas con el telar de cintura en Jacaltenango, Guatemala.

1. This book is a rich collection of descriptions of complex patterns of hair sashes, Mayan art, history, culture and contemporary society laced with crisp black and white photographs and color prints. Through the author's extensive photo journal, the reader feels the warmth of the Jacaltek people and their willingness to share their pride in the tradition and technique of their backstrap weaving.

   Este libro presenta una colección rica de descripciones de diseños complejos de cintas para el pelo relacionada con el arte mayense, la historia precolombina, la cultura y sociedad contemporanea, enlasado con fotografias nitidas tanto en blanco y negro como en color. Por medio de una historia fotografica extensa de la autora, el lector recibe el cariño de los jacaltecos y su voluntad de compartir su orgullo de su tradición y técnica de tejer de cintura.




2. This book was expensive I won't keep it for long, Not an easy read, gave me the feeling I was reading someone's doctorate anthropological research, turned into a not very good book,
   
   For this price there could have been lot more colored photos; the black and white photos are frankly awful (pesimo) More history into Pre-Colombian use of hair sashes and the ornate headresses seen in Mayan frescoes and statues would have been useful.
   
   This book is relatively interesting for some of the textile details, but it is a mix-up.. was I looking more at textile designs... or a book about anthropology and the area of Jacatenango,there are many other places with fine textiles in the Mayan highlands.
   Think the name of the book sounds interesting, so people will buy it.Sometimes I found it easier to read the Spanish. The english is OK but when there are specific Spanish/Mayan words it is easier to understand in Spanish.

4 comments about Spindle Spinning: From Novice to Expert.

1. This is an excellent book for new and experienced spinners. "Spindle Spinning" not only explores spinning techniques, but looks at the history and culture of the art. For anyone interesting in fiber arts and spinning, it is more satisfying to begin with ancient art of spindle spinning, than the mechanized spinning wheel.



2. Connie is one of those multi-functional talented spinners whose fingers are rarely idle. She's written an excellent guide to this ancient craft including everything one needs to know to begin including how to build your own spindle of choice. I never realized there were so many different types of spindles and techniques! Amazing, highly recommend!!!



3. Connie Delaney uses humor to introduce the beginning spinner to the joys of the drop spindle. She explains how to make and use each kind, and what kinds of yarns are made on each spindle. She also provides some history of spindle spinning, and an overview of the different fibers available to spinners. This is an excellent choice for anyone who is just starting out.



4. There's a fair number of books and pamphlets available that will teach you to spin. Hands On Spinning and Spin It!, High Whorling, many spindle manufacturers include pamphlets. I've read and worked with most of them, and if you want to learn to spin proficiently, this is the one I recommend.
   
   First of all, Ms Delaney starts with the presumption that you want to learn to spin well, and you are flat broke. So she discusses how to manufacture each type of spindle she tells you about, and then teaches you how to use it. Total cost for a typical one of her spindles is around $2-3. It goes down a bit if you make them in bulk. All of her information can be used with a purchased spindle, but she's not out to shut people away from spinning if they can't afford $40 to buy a tool. By the end of the book, you'll have the ability to build a turkish spindle, a high whorl spindle, a low whorl spindle, a cotton spindle and a navajo spindle.
   
   Second, she discusses techniques that most introductory spinning books just don't cover. You want to learn how to navajo ply? She covers it. You want to spin cotton? She covers it. You want to do multiple ply yarns? She covers it. You want to learn how to do the long draw? She covers it. You want to learn Andean style 2 ply? She covers it. If it will make you a more independant, more technically proficient, or more culturally knowledgable spinner, she'll teach you about it.
   
   She has the best section on troubleshooting why your yarn isn't behaving as you want that I've ever seen. I managed to hit every single one of her pitfalls at one time or another. They're all described dead on, and her fix *works*.
   
   "So, this book covers spindles," you say. "I use a wheel, how can it help me?" Many of the techniques in the book are not limited to spindles. In fact, really the only ones that are spindle limited are how to make spindles and a few details of how to use a cotton spindle and a navajo spindle. The rest are universal. She may not include pictures of how to do them with a spinning wheel, but the technique is there for you to learn... and very often if you have the technique down on a spindle, transferring it to the wheel is easy.
   
   If I only recommend one book to a new spinner, this would be it.