The Weaver's Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom

by Jane Patrick

New and experienced weavers alike are always on the lookout for new weave-structure patterns. The Weaver's Idea Book presents a wide variety of patterns for the simple rigid-heddle loom, accompanied by harness drafts for multishaft looms. The techniques include leno, Brooks bouquet, soumak, and embroidery on fabric. Each chapter contains weaving patterns along with swatches illustrating the techniques, accompanied by step-by-step photography.

The book is arranged by structure or type of weave, from variations on plain weave to doubleweave. With traditional patterns from around the world, bands, and fabrics woven on two double heddles, The Weaver's Idea Book brings together a variety of ways to create exquisite cloth. Weaving tips and tricks help weavers at all levels achieve their textile dreams. In addition to pattern drafts, Jane offers project ideas that guide the reader through creating functional woven projects, from wearables to home decor.

Weaving, especially on rigid-heddle looms, is enjoying a resurgence, and contemporary weavers are in need of a book to bridge the divide between basic books and complex text designed for advanced weavers with sophisticated tools. Celebrating the immense potential for creativity possible with the simplest of tools, The Weaver's Idea Book opens new avenues for exploration on both the rigid-heddle and multishaft looms.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, How To, Knitting

240 pages, Spiral-bound

First published August 10, 2010

Reviews

[Rhoda Kennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved so much about this book. The practical suggestions for different techniques and the spiral, hardbound cover are some of the things I liked the best. This is a book worth having. In fact, I have 2 of them so I can loan one of them out to my weaving students to use as a resource. There is enough in here for a new weaver to learn and start from scratch, but I have been weaving for over a year and I haven't begun to use all the different ideas! It's like having an extensive weaving class in a book!

[penny shima glanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It isn't often that a library book is in my possession for minutes when I'm running off to the book store to acquire a copy of my own. This book holds the record. I don't think I had even made it out of the library before I knew I needed to have this for keeps.

What makes Patrick's Weaver's Idea Book so very awesome?

Reason the first: Rigid Heddle Looms can produce much more than just plain weave. I knew this, but I did not know how much variation existed before adding a second heddle.

Reason the second: Clear photographs and technical drawings

Reason the third: Instructions for how many of the ideas may be applied to Inkles or shaft looms

Reason the fourth: 5 chapters, 240 pages, 10 projects

Reason the fifth: I bought the book and I don't even own a rigid heddle loom yet!

If you are looking for ideas, inspiration, and lots of education I greatly recommend Patrick's awesome idea book.

[Szinna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ez volt az első ebook, ami megfejthetetlen volt a fekete-fehér olvasómon, így eleinte az Amazon olvasó szolgáltatását próbáltam ki, majd kénytelen voltam letölteni valami okos telefon alkalmazást szintén az Amazonról, mert a mobilomon legalább színesben láttam az ábrákat. Az ötletek jók, de nem mindig egyszerű értelmezni a hogyanokat. Volt, hogy egy-egy szövésmintának többször is nekifutottam, míg leesett, hogy mit is csinál az író. És bevallom egy idő után már csak átlapoztam. Valószínűleg csinálni érdekesebb, mint olvasni róla, egyszer tuti, hogy kipróbálom.

[stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is a really good book for all weavers of all levels. Very well explained and has pictures showing how to do each step. I would recommend this book to anyone who weaves and is learning to weave.

[Cindy Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful resource for weaving on a Rigid Heddle loom.

[Frank Reiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for learning to weave on a rigid heddle loom. Highly recomended.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has SO much information! All wonderfully pictured and all explained on a level a beginner like me can grasp.

[Laura Estelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a joyous exploration of a range of techniques possible on a rigid heddle loom. The finger-controlled weaves section really shone, as did the pickup section. I'll be going back to make those samplers once I have a few more plain-weave warps under my belt.

Despite that, I didn't love this book. However, I suspect that my annoyances with this book would not be shared by most other people. I have two main complaints:
* I found some of the samples ugly, which may be shallow, but it didn't inspire me. I really don't like that quantity of yellow + green. I think I might have had a much different reaction to the book if I had found the samples compelling.
* The book felt like I was following alongside the author as she explored new techniques, rather than being written by somebody who had deep expertise in these techniques and was sharing that. Given the author's background, I assume that this was a stylistic choice, rather than the truth.

NB: I read the kindle version because it was only $5 on Amazon. The formatting was terrible, as expected, but I didn't dock stars for that, because the book really wasn't meant to be read digitally and I knew it before purchasing.

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with all sorts of weaving patterns and variations. I find the pictures a little small and some of the patterns given don't have enough contrast to clearly see the fabric structure. Many patterns also have the draft charts given for a harness loom, but they just appear without being explained - at least not that I recall. For the novice this is only causes confusion.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the more complex instructions hard to follow (more or clearer illustrations would have been helpful), but really my issue with this book is the patterns are so ugly, I didn't feel inspired to use them. I read this as a library borrow and will look for a different book to buy.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good starter book for ideas. Things you never knew you could do with a simple rigid heddle loom.

[tinyteaplots · Rating 4 out of 5]

The info and patterns are great, kindle is really lacking when it comes to books like this. I’ll end up needing a hard copy soon.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed from the library, but want to buy my own copy.

[Deb W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much for my beginner level, but I will come back to it when I better understand weaving.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Let me start by saying I am not a weaver, well, not yet, at least. I borrowed this book as a Prime Reading book in anticipation of being able to weave someday. I was blown away by the incredible amount of knowledge that is packed into this little book. You can be sure when I actually get to more than a beginner's level weaver I will purchase this book.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a beginning weaver, and while I am enjoying the book there are some things I'm finding challenging. For example the photos of hemstitching are done with the same coloured yarn as the woven fabric, and it's very hard to see the result of the stitch. Some other examples are done with contrasting yarn but I wish that was done for all closeups.

This book is exactly what the title says - an idea book and a wonderful one. I'm looking for another book for learning weaving skills.

[Ruth Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our local Rigid Heddle Frame Loom study group have all purchased this work in Sept, 2010, and plan to work our way through it. Very well presented material, this takes a proud place on the shelf along with prior works on Rigid Heddle looms, adding depth with photo examples and exploration in patterns, hemming techniques, and finishing techniques.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While attending my local Cricket Club meeting, I had the opportunity to preview this book and IMMEDIATELY went home to order my own copy.

The instructions are very clear/concise and the accompanying photographs and drawings make it easy to follow the concepts.

I was so thrilled to find the many weaves and uses for the loom. As a newbie weaver, I am excited about the projects ahead!!!

[Linda J. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a weaver, you need this book. It is an excellent resource for thread manipulated patterns, whether on a rigid heddle loom or any other loom. It shows how the simplest loom can create beautiful cloth. Also, it is a wonderful book with vivid pictures that stir the creative juices of any fiber addict.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and inspiring book.

[ACRL]

Read by ACRL Member of the Week Trudi Jacobson. Learn more about Trudi on the ACRL Insider blog.

[Nicolette · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good. As I fall down the rabbit hole of weaving, this book has been a great companion. It's definitely another book I'd have to review again as my weaving experience grows.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! There certainly are a lot of ideas in here! For a beginner it's a tad bit intimidating, but I'm sure it'll be a good reference and inspiration in time.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

cool book

[Terri Hagerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for the beginning rigid heddle weaver. Tons of photos, how-to's and tips will get you going on more than plain weave.

[Jeanette Noechel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding...if you love rigid heddle weaving, this is for you.