Customer Reviews

A Manual of Fingerweaving

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(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.

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

For the average person who wants to learn the basics of fingerweaving, I suggest getting another book. This one has some interesting old photos and pays homage to the weavers of the past, but the actual instructions on the weaving techniques are not nearly clear enough. Trying to weave a belt on a first try would be far too daunting.

In comparison, the book FINGERWEAVING BASICS by Gerald Findley (ISBN NO. 1-929572-0805) has extremely clear diagrams beginning with the easiest pattern and moving through the more complicated ones. It's not as easy as it looks, so begin with a thick yarn or a good quality, heavy, cotton garden twine that doesn't unravel easily. Practice on some small pieces to get the hang of it. Then use acrylic or wool yarns, but avoid fluffy, soft or thin yarns when learning to do this craft.

A good book with instructions for a number of fingerwoven patterns and includes the introduction of beads into the weaving. Great color photos of patterns and finished woven sashes. A good reference and instruction book to have. I am glad I purchased this book for myself.

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.