3 comments about Inkle Weaving.

1. I am an artist who works in a very wide variety of artistic mediums. I am usually able to decipher "how-to" instructional books after going over the instructions several times, but I learn much more quickly by seeing the craft-in-question demonstrated in person.

   This particular book on Inkle Weaving has been written with such skill, and crystal clear instructions and illustrations that I was able to design and complete a very complicated design pattern on my first effort! A friend, (Lady Merrsger of Clan CaerLonn) lent me her copy and loom so that I could see whether I wanted to continue with this type of weaving. Especially since it's my first experience with weaving. As my husband (Lord Aragon) says, "This is your new addiction, I see."

   Matter of fact, since he's a wood-worker, I had him make me both the table-top & floor looms from the patterns included in the book. (Although, I wouldn't recommend this unless you are a wood-worker, yourself.) As Artisan/Merchants within the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), we used those looms to take orders from our customers last week. And everyone we talked to, demonstrated to, and sold looms to, were shown a copy of this book, and highly encouraged to buy one for themselves at Amazon.com!

   Within the SCA, (which is a world-wide Midevial/ Renaissance re-creationist & educational group) we are often challenged to find some kind of trim to sew onto our "garb" which looks authentic within our "time period". The trim created on this type of very simple loom is perfect, and far surpasses the mass-produced stuff available in fabric stores! Ms. Bress also includes a good number of creative suggestions for use of the trim, from clothing to purses to wall hangings, etc.

   I very highly recommend this book, most especially for Inkle Loom beginners! Besides presenting some very obviously artistic work, Helene Bress is among the few craftspeople I've seen who can also write very clear, and easily followed instructions. My friend who lent me her copy declares me an Inkle expert (Hah) as a result. Well done, and HUZZAH to Helene Bress!!!




2. In the beginning, she cites all the features required for an inkle loom. I used this list to search for mine, and have been delighted with the loom I got. She also has great instructions for getting set up, and for weaving.
   
   The only problem I've noticed is that if you follow exactly many of the charts, you will not get the results shown in the samples. Left of the center of the graph is perfect. The right hand side is always off by one. I had to learn this the hard way, and so now, I check that left and right of the center are identical, and then fix the chart before I begin warping my loom.



3. For me this book covers everything you want to know to get started, to keep going, advanced topics and more. There are instructions on how to make your own loom, how to make your heddles, what the heddles are for(big reason for them really) and more. You will learn just about everything from this book.

5 comments about Tapestry Weaving.

1. Excellent book with detailed instructions and wonderful photos. It makes beginning your tapestry a piece of cake!



2. I have a fairly substantial library of books on weaving and textiles, and this is easily the best introduction I have encountered to tapestry weaving. The instructions are clear; techniques for a variety of special weaves for the beginner are introduced and easy to follow. The introductory pieces are reasonable for a beginner to complete-the tapestries are coarser weaves to lend themselves to teaching, while being attractive and fun to make. The photographs are excellent, and the samples of her work serve to inspire the reader to try bigger and more difficult projects. The author is an excellent designer and colorist, so much can be learned from her completed work. Highly recommended to anyone interested in understanding tapestry weaving or aching to give it a try.



3. Clear, easy to understand. Not too much information. I used it for my beginning tapestry class and it was well received.



4. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like to learn by doing. This is a workbook oriented book. Within the first few pages, you will make a simple frame loom (if you do not already have a tapestry loom), find a few easy to find materials, and you begin making your weave along sampler. Instead of having to digest a few chapters before getting hands on, you are hands on almost immediately. But the author does not skimp on illustrations, photos, or detailed instructions. After the sampler, you will move on to more progressively detailed products that you will be proud to display, rather than stuff in a drawer or box of "first attempts". After the sampler, the projects include:
   A gorgeous sun sampler that you will want to hang on your wall. This sampler goes back over what you learned in the first introductory sampler, but adds additional detail and is a little more technical, and the result is a fresh update on those somber toned tapestries of the 1970's. Next, a peruvian inspired bird tapestry with bead and feather trim; a cat and fishes tapestry; a simple beach landscape; the tree tapestry that is also the cover illustration; instructions for warp and weft variations; using bright color and shades of grey; instructions for weaving from the side; suggestions for using what you've learned to design your own tapestries; an owl sampler; a colorful sleeping dog sofa cushion; equally colorful sleeping cat and bird sofa cushions; finishing, framing and mounting techniques, and as if you haven't already had enough eye candy as you've been working along with the author, a gallery of even more inspiring work. By the time you have finished working through this book, you will be past the beginning weaver stage and into intermediate designing and weaving. Ms. Glasbrook has packed a lot of information into the 96 pages of this book. This book is not every thing you will need/want to know about tapestry weaving, but this book gives you a very solid foundation.



5. If you are new to weaving or just new to tapestry weaving Kirsten Glasbrook's Tapestry Weaving book is a great place to start. She writes in a clear easy to follow manner, and the book is filled with illustrations that further clarify each point she makes. The exercises she has included are well chosen to help a beginner understand each technique. And the photographs of complete works are an inspiration.

5 comments about Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving (Hands on).

1. Although I was primarily a knitter, the weaving bug recently bit me, and hard. The only weaving I'd ever done was Jersey loop potholders and more recently, rugs made on a homemade loom out of cut-up t-shirts, so I had no idea where to start when it came to looms and so on. I'm fortunate enough to have an excellent fiber store within driving distance, so I headed there to purchase my 32" Kromski Harp rigid heddle loom and this book, and proceeded to teach myself to weave with the help of this text.
   
   The instructions on warping and dressing the loom have so far been of the most help to me - they are clear, concise, and easily applicable to the Kromski Harp. I'm still a rank beginner, but I definitely have my eye on the beautiful placemats for a future project, and the extras, like how to calculate warp and weft and information on finishing and making neater selvedges are priceless. It's a great book to have on hand for both the actual process of weaving and the inevitable dreaming about future adventures, and a valuable resource for anyone interested in weaving on a rigid heddle loom.



2. When it comes to rigid heddle weaving, this is the only reference there is, unless you want to turn to a video. The author is complete and communicates clearly through the text. The illustrations are a bit confusing until you actually go through the steps and then it all becomes clear. The color photographs are beautiful. I've had only this book to teach me to use my loom and it's been more than enough. I would like to see more books on rigid heddle weaving, but I suppose it's not in fashion, so we'll all have to wait until it becomes popular.
   
   The projects in the book go through a logical progression from simple to difficult and the results are lovely. Each and every project turns out just as the pictures show if you follow the directions. My selvage edges are certainly not as even as the author's but that's a matter of practice and experience. I've been waiting for three years for Ms. Davenport to come out with a second volume, but so far, it looks like this is going to be it.



3. wanted it as a Christmas present, arrived late. Receipent was very happy with descriptions and pictures.



4. This is a great book for anyone who is curious about rigid heddle weaving. From beginning to end the book is very direct in explaining exactly what rigid heddle weaving is all about and I recommend this book to anyone considering buying a rigid heddle loom, or for someone who has one and doesn't know what to do with it.



5. [[ASIN:0934026254 Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving (Hands on)]An excellent book for the beginner with fine instructions and illustrations.

No comments about The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn.

5 comments about Pine Needle Basketry: From Forest Floor to Finished Project.

1. I love this book! I made pine needle baskets years (20) ago and just started back with this hobby again. I just wish Judy Mallow would write another book with more of her basket inspirations in it. It is the best book on the subject! Thanks to you Judy!!



2. The instructions in this book are well written and clear, but what makes "Pine Needle Basketry" worth owning are the beautiful color photographs that are liberally sprinkled throughout the book. The book starts with a discussion of the required tools and materials and pretty quickly jumps into directions on how to make a simple pine needle basket. From there the author describes additional techniques such as: the different stitches used to bind the coils, adding beads and shells for embellishment, and using a gourd for the base of a basket. Next comes the "Projects" section where you are shown a photograph of a finished basket. Beneath each photo is a list of the techniques used and the pages where the technique descriptions can be found. The projects range from the first simple and functional basket to purely decorative pieces. Next comes the truly inspiring "Gallery" section. This is pure "eye candy". There is example after example of how other artists have transformed this simple craft into an art form. If you love baskets, then this is a great book to put on your shelf.



3. I purchased this book for my daughter's home school science project. She was learning about different types of trees. She brought back home a whole bunch of pine needles to use. She loves to weave, so we decided to make a pine basket with them.
   
   First, I went on the internet and found one instruction to make a pine needle basket. It was OK, but not clear enough for a beginner like me. The site linked me to this book. I am so glad that I found this book! The instruction is very concise and easy to follow with well illustrated diagrams. Also, it has many beautiful pictures of gorgeous works by the author for your inspiration.
   I definitely recommend this book to someone who wants to start a pine basket weaving. Also, for teachers, it is the MUST to have book in the classroom.



4. This is an exquisite book worth the price. The details are very easy to follow. I highly recommend this book for the beginner and advanced.



5. This is an excellent book. It gives detailed instructions for beginners and lists all the supplies needed. Then it also has instructions for more intermediate and unusually designed baskets.

No comments about Collapse Weave: Creating Three-Dimensional Cloth.

5 comments about Beadweaving Brilliance: MakeBeautiful Jewelry as You Learn Off-loom Techniques.

1. The book has clear instructions and figures that are easily followed. I made a few things as quick and easy Christmas presents and they were a hit....but, I was mislead by the cover photo. Every photo you see has instructions in the book except the one I bought the book for. It is the one on the front cover, third photo from the left. I was VERY disappointed the instructions for that project were not actually in the book!
   
   Monique~Albuquerque, NM



2. Pedestrian is a lot better word for this book than brilliant. These are very easy projects that can be found in many other books. Most of the appealing pieces were for reference only, meaning there were no instructions. Also seed bead sizes and thread lengths are given in metric measurements, not six, eleven, fifteen, etc. for seed beads and inches or feet for other measurements. The one bracelet I did make had a mistake in the directions, but the diagrams were accurate and I was able to finish the bracelet. It was a disappointing piece, that I would only be pleased with if it was the first thing I ever made. So once again, I have added to the large collection of bead books I own that got great reviews and turned out to be a major disappoinment. I am cancelling the second brilliance book.



3. Excellent book for a beginning "beader" like me! Great instructions are enhanced by clear illustrations!



4. I ordered both this book and another jewelry book and I waited for it to arrive and after it was a week late I called and talked to a customer service person who was extremely helpful. She immediately sent out a replacement order which arrived within 2-3 days. I was very happy with the service I got in fixing the problem. I just received the 3rd book that was not available when I ordered the other 2 books and it just arrived ahead of schedule. I had only ordered from Amazon once before and again had great service and received the book very quickly. I will use amazon to order other books that I cannot get localy as long as the service continues.



5. I am a new beader, so this is new for my growing library of beading books. The projects look to be well explained and seem to go from beginner to advanced beader. I would recommend it to beginners especially.

No comments about Weaving Made Easy: 18 Projects Using a Simple Loom.

5 comments about Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution).

1. This is a one note and variation on a style of spinning yarn that I'm not a fan of nor do I like. For others this would be very exciting and challenging artistic expression. The patterns were good except I didn't like the spun yarn that was used.



2. I adore this book because of the artistic slant it takes rather than for its "how to spin" instructions. I am an artist who has worked with fiber for a long time, but mostly in mixed media sculptures, knitting and felting. I am a pretty inexperienced spinner. But although some of the techniques described in Intertwined may be beyond my spinning expertise (for now), the ideas it gave me are not! Unlike one of the other reviewers, I am not put off by the thought of mixing disparate elements into the spun fiber. In fact, I have always enjoyed mixing media - although I have been producing necklaces, art dolls and wall pieces rather than hats - so that might make for a different opinion. Even if I don't become an expert spinner overnight, I see myself plying some unusual combinations of yarns in the very near future, and I have this book to thank for the inspiration.



3. I'm dazzled. Seriously, visiting Lexi Boeger's already interesting Pluckyfluff web site, amazing as it is, doesn't come close to the fantastical, fun, magic world of yarn in this book. If you're into funky, offbeat, one-of-a-kind, this is your book. I really enjoyed how the author, through stepwise photos and text takes you inside the creation of her every-one-unique yarns. The designs to use them are appropriately simple, because with yarns made out of dolls, or flowers, or thread or shredded paper or all of the above, the yarn is art, your body a stabilizing surface on which to show it off.
   This wonderful book is appropriate for fiber artists, painters, knitters, sculptors and any museum goer who likes "cool" things. Can't recommend highly enough, has already been endorsed as "very interesting" by my generally not endorsement prone 16 year old.



4. From the very first page I knew my 'yarning' life would never be the same again! Lexi writes inspirationally, obviously loving her craft. It's almost impossible to decribe the impact this book has, one way of putting it is to say it's like being released from a 'cosy' module - and being twirled away into the infinite space of new dimensions!



5. I am relatively new to spinning, so my handspun is never perfect and even, but it is fun and I like it. This book gives the opportunity to think of yarn itself as a freestanding piece of art. It is exciting to see the colors and interaction of fibers in making a ball of yarn. Perhaps it is possible to think of yarn for yarn's sake. Actually the section on what to make with the yarn is unnecessary, as the yarn loses some of its artistic quality when made into a functional item. She makes the point that you have to learn the basics of spinning as a good foundation before you can make good art yarns. This is the basis of art, you have to learn the basic elements of composition before one can produce good abstract art. I would probably never slavishly copy anything in this book, as that is really not its intent. A book like this should inspire a fiber artist, or any artist, to think outside the box, to see things that are visually exciting. It is possible to visualize a highly interesting pile of wildly handspun yarn in a contemporary bowl in a gallery setting. If the objective of spinning is to make a hat, then nice and even will keep your ears warm. If fiber used in an aesthetically interesting way will make the viewer think that perhaps fiber can be a medium for real art and not just craft, then this book is inspirational.

5 comments about The Big Book of Weaving: Handweaving in the Swedish Tradition: Techniques, Patterns, Designs and Materials.

1. I purchased this book for a very specific reason - to figure out how to make my 4 harness Glimakra into an 8 harness. It did that and so much more. If I were a beginning weaver, this book would be a "must have" in my library. As a more seasoned weaver, I feel much the same way. Every technique has not only a verbal description but good diagrams as well. It covers the basics with good hints for making things easier. It goes beyond the basics with very useful information on patterns and materials. Thank you to the translator for making this available to us in English. A great resource!



2. I learned to weave, many years ago, while living in Norway, gave it up for another number of years but have now had the time to return to this wonderful past time. Weaving in the Swedish Tradition book was a Bible for Weavers back then and I'm thrilled to see that it has been translated into English.
   I highly recommend this book for both novice and experienced weavers!
   Thanks,
   Happy Weaver



3. This book is clearly presented. The book covers the basics, particularly for counterbalance, countermarch looms. It presents warping from back to front. Many helpful tips are given for basic weaving techniques. There are interesting Swedish style patterns and illustrations.



4. The content covers an enormous amount of information, from what not to buy in a used loom to analyzing a weave pattern. The explanations and details for each project are better than what I normally see in a weaving book. The graphics are very useful, especially the ones on how to set-up and warp a swedish loom. A very well done book covering swedish weaving a-to-z.



5. The content of this book is okay, but the print is the smallest and faintest I've ever seen. There is abundant white space on the pages, which may be regarded as good from a design perspective, but slightly larger, darker print would be a lot more helpful. It's the only book I can't read without glasses.