1 comments about Appalachian White Oak Basketmaking: Handing Down the Basket.

1. If you love making baskets, or just enjoy looking at them or maybe even collecting them, then this book is a must have book. Law and Taylor have put together the definative book on white oak basket making ( as well as some baskets of other materials). For the accomplished basket maker the photographs and illustrations can serve as inspiration as well as pattern. Reading this book will make you want to grab your ax and head for the woods, and if that isn't possible you will want to get to your local basketry material supplier as soon as possible. This is the best book of its kind that I have seen, the perfect blend of art and history.

2 comments about Wicker Basketry.

1. Easily followed instructions and techniques. Exceptional for a variety of border patterns! Rare to find in other basket books



2. Flo Hoppe has used excellent illustrations and easy-to-read directions so any novice can be making beautiful round reed baskets in no time!! She is the "queen" of making and teaching round reed techniques. This book has many beautiful baskets and she takes you from the most basic basket on to very advanced ones. As a teacher I would be lost without this book. I have had State Fair winning baskets that my 4-H students have picked from this book! Flo has a 2nd book that is even better for the advanced weaver!! Get it now, you will not be dissapointed.

No comments about Let's Discover Weaving (Her Arts and crafts discovery units).

1 comments about A Guide to Navajo Weavings (Native American Arts & Crafts).

1. Although this book is short on written content, it makes up for its brevity with a great selection of colourful pictures from many Navajo styles. This book focuses on a historic review of styles rather than a "how-to" for new weavers. It's short and it's inexpensive, so don't expect a thorough overview.

2 comments about Sheer Delight: Handwoven Transparencies.

1. Sheer Delight is an inspiring book loaded with wonderful transparencies done by expert weavers. It is explicit in its instructions for warping, attaching the cartoon and weaving. There has never been a book like this on transparancies before. Also included is a chapter on finishes and methods for display. Doramay Keasbys book is truly a 'Sheer Delight'. Donna



2. This is the only illustrated book on Transparency weaving in English, so far as I know. It is beautifully crafted and inspiring. If you are curious about this art/craft, get this book.

5 comments about You Can Weave!: Projects for Young Weavers.

1. This book is a great resource for the development of lessons for children in the 9 - 14 age range. I used this to prepare a lesson for a home school group. The children really enjoyed the process as well as the end product. This book is full of "do-able" projects with a topic which otherwise can overburden young people with tedium. I would, however, recommend that the teacher practice the projects with the materials to be used. For instance, poster board is too thin for the activities in which a cardboard loom is used.



2. This book contains instructions for creative and enjoyable weaving projects. Instructions are clearly written and are well illustrated. Supplies required are easily available.

   The title makes it sound as if it is a children's book (YOU can weave), and in some ways it is written as a child's book. But instructions are all addressed to a teacher of children. As a result, the book suffers slightly from a mixed identity.

   Mixed in with the illustrations of completed projects done by students are photos of weavings done by knowledgeable weavers using different types of looms than those used in the book. These weavings are much more impressive in appearance than the children's weavings (logically so), but it can lead to disappointment if the reader thinks this book will enable him/her to produce items like those shown.




3. This is a lovely book, filled to the last page with wonderful ideas. I was lucky enough to have inherited my mother's table loom and am just now beginning to do a little background research on weaving before tackling the rather daunting equipment my mother left me. I found this title among those I was browsing and decided that it would be a good place to start. There are several techniques which are mentioned also in Weaving Without a Loom, another book I would recommend for beginners, but Monahoghan and Joyner's book goes several steps farther. Burningham introduces paper weaving, but these authors show visual techniques, similar to Escher's style of tricking the eye, introduce modifying frames, interwoven photos, and basket making to their repertoire. They show stick weaving, but introduce the use of straws to make the process smoother and color changes to add interest to the bands.
   
   I was particularly impressed with the depth with which they showed techniques, particularly in tapestry work with colors added to create pictures. The Japanese braid work was also interesting as was some of their beading information. I particularly enjoyed the brief discussion of plaid and undertook the weaving of a small square which I used to make a passport bag for a friend going to London this summer.



4. This book covered many types of weaving and was very informative. Great resource for those just starting to weave.



5. This is an excellent book for beginners. All the instructions are clear and concise. Every step is made known so there are no surprises or wondering what to do next.

No comments about Handbook of Weaving.

3 comments about Woven Shibori (Weaver's Studio series, The).

1. This is fairly comprehensive. The author gives you some history of traidtional shibori. She shows you what is being done currently with woven shibori by other artists in addition to her own work. She makes it clear that the technique is evolving. Then she explains how to weave the cloth and how to dye it. She shows many dye techniques. It would be exciting to see an online photo gallery of pieces created from the inspiration and instruction in this book.



2. This is a great guide to the techniques in creating woven shibori pieces. There is instruction on the weaving , dyeing and finishing neede to complete great woven shibori work. I have been lucky to study this process under the author, Catherine and she is the most well informed authority on this subject....she created the tecnique!!!



3. This is a very comprehensive book covering modern shibori development and technical aspects of woven shibori.
   The techniques are well explained and beautifully illustrated with close up photos of the fabrics,the weaving drafts presented in a clear way.
   The information on dyes and discharge procedures is excellent. Ellis even focuses on information and recipes on vat dyes, something not easily found and health and safety precautions are also addressed.
   In all, Catherine Ellis has written not only an informative book, but also a source of inspiration which fuels further personal explorations.

5 comments about Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft.

1. I found this to be a great book. It really opened my eyes to what a toddler adoption could be like. I highly recommend it.



2. Anyone thinking of a foreign adoption should read this book before beginning the adoption process! I feel better prepared for the toddler we plan to adopt, and I have a friend who decided to adopt only an infant after reading this book, because she felt she couldn't handle the difficulties that would come with a toddler - attachment problems, grief issues, etc. Adoption is much more difficult than I could have ever imagined, financially, emotionally, timewise, but I feel confident I can do it and feel like I've been given the information I need to be prepared for the difficulties I may experience - and hopefully I now will be pleasantly surprised instead of rudely awakened!



3. This is a wonderful, intelligently written, informative book for anybody considering toddler adoption. The first hand experience of toddler adoption by the author links the concept to reality. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to all perspective adoptive parents.



4. We are currently adopting a child out of the foster care system. I found this book to be very helpful. It has prepared me well to become a mom through adoption. I would recommend this book to anyone connected to a toddler adoption.



5. This book as all books should be read and used as you feel it fits into your family. I loved it all and couldn't put it down. The author is realistic. Don't let this book convince you not to adopt and toddler. Use this wonderful book to consider carefully, learn about possibilities, and enter your adoption process fully aware. I think this book should be required reading before even thinking of adopting a toddler. The author is thoughtful and presents her points without emotional fluff. A great read.

5 comments about A Handspindle Treasury: Collected Works from the Save the Sheep Exhibit.

1. This book is great for the person who either wants to learn to spin with a drop spindle or who has just learned. There are several articles that give clear descriptions of how to use high and low whorl spindles, supported spindles and how to make your own. There are even drawings showing the spinner how to hold her/his hands to cut down on discomfort. The articles are written in a very conversational tone so that you feel like one of your friends is telling you about the craft. There are also stories by people who have used wheels for years and have recently decided to pick up a spindle. This is a great collection.



2. I have read several older books on spinning but this book was the first one that gave me all the information I needed to learn how to use the hand spindle and what to do with the yarn after I had spun it. I think this is a very good book to have for your spinning library.



3. If you want to learn to spindle spin, this is an excellent book for beginners, and also for those who have been spinning for a while. Drop spindling is normally dealt with in a few short paragraphs and a diagram that doesn't really answer any questions, so a book devoted to the subject gets my nod of approval, and a permanent place in my personal library. I'm sure I shall be referring to it in time to come as it covers so many different aspects of spindle spinning that are normally ignored, and treats it as a legitimate spinning choice and craft form, instead of a technique we are obliged to learn before getting on with spinning on a wheel. I purchased this book by mistake, and I'm glad I did!



4. I have been spinning for a few years now, however the drop spindle has always been my nemesis. This book is re-teaching me how to use the drop spindle correctly, and for that I think it is an excellent choice.



5. This is a collection of old spinning articles from the first days of Spin-Off Magazine. Some of the stuff in here is really outdated and smacks of the hippie years, like, making a spinning hook from trimmed branches, or a drop spindle from sticks stuck in potatoes. Not all that interesting or useful any more. Some of the articles seem unedited and quite amateurish. Some of the technique is timeless, but some has gone out of vogue.
   
   There are many great spinning books available now. I'd recommend you pass on this one.