Art of The Loom

by Ann Hecht

Colourful and sometimes complex textiles are still produced in many parts of the world using only the simplest tools and equipment. This book focuses on eight areas of special interest - Navaho weaving in North America; bedouin textiles in the Middle East; West African narrow-strip weaving; Indonesian textiles; 'kasuri' resist dyeing in Japan; inlay weaving in Nepal; brocaded motifs from Guatemala; and Peruvian tapestry weaving - and describes the fibres used, the methods of spinning and dyeing, the types of loom and the techniques of weaving. Examples of the best textiles from each area are supplemented with numerous photographs of spinners, weavers and dyers at work, and diagrams showing how the various effects are achieved. As well as providing students and anthropologists with a valuable insight into working methods in a wide variety of traditional communities, this book and the exciting textiles it illustrates will be an endless source of ideas and inspiration for practising weavers.

Genres: Crafts, Reference, History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Bernie4444 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Across the world and across time

This fact-packed book has plenty to say. It is not a how-to book but you will find some drafts that you can take straight to the loom. Many other tips can directly apply to your skills. However, this book is primarily a travel book; we are carried through different cultures to see how they are similar:
North America -The Navajo
The Middle East – the Bedouin
West Africa – Narrow-strip weaving
South-East Asia – Indonesian Textiles
East –Asia, the Islands of Japan – Kasuri resist dyeing
South Asia – Inlay weaving of Nepal
Central America – Brocaded motifs from Guatemala
South America – Peruvian tapestry weaving


There are many color pictures of finished products with descriptions of what you are looking at. There are also many diagrams and hand-drawn images.

I am just getting into dying and still using Kool-Aid. However, for people interested in colors in general and who find this book interesting I suggest you read “A Perfect Red”.

[Moments of Kabir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned that Gandhi was man becoming God and that he had a lot he could learn from Meher Baba (the perfect master and god Become Man)... And I learned that in times like these, after the events of the inside job of 911 that Baba Lovers should not turn their back on the activism of "Home Spun" freedom making!

We must creatively use and apply and share love or else we only have a POTENTIAL FOR LOVE.

So I put that love into our namasteezy spirit weavings, creating them for self and others. Weaving when undressed and unmasked, is none other than sincerity itself. It is quintessential sincerity clothed in the robe of human experience, crowned with the hope of all who cry out for justice and a future of interdependent existence - - where not only every being, but every experience, thought, sound, touch, taste, and consciousness itself is seen as wonderfully interdependent - - and treated with the care and dignity which should be afforded to each and every infinite manifestation of life; formed or formless.

So I like book about weaving, I love missing wisdom and missing knowledge.

[Shield · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, this books is a bit confusing, especially for a dummy in textile. It has difficult fabric terms, that sometimes require you to check on textile dictionary. After all, this book shows ancient technique in weaving from all around the world (Asia, America, etc). It shows the way to weave completely through the text and picture. In addition, we can get many information on dyeing process, from the ingredients to color mixing.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing pictures! Today, there are women who still use primitive tools to spin and weave and produce breathtaking results. Great history on the crafts and a very interesting and informative book about how these crafts are practised in different cultures.