Customer Reviews

Tapestry Weaving: A Comprehensive Study Guide

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4 star:		(1)
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Before buying this book, I checked a number of tapestry books out of the library. I found this book to be the only tapestry weaving book that gave clear instructions. I also appreciated the simple explanations given by Harvey for the reasons for performing certain techniques in certain ways thus helping the learner to think in the way of a tapestry artist/craftsperson. At least two other tapestry books left me feeling quite confused but I am very impressed with this book. It begins with equipment information followed by some easy exercises that one can use to build one's technical knowledge on, but the exercises, despite being studies, produce beautiful, 'to be proud of' samplers that anybody would be happy to have on display. Nancy Harvey takes one through a series of tapestry weaving lessons, from these very basic samplers to very beautiful and difficult tapestries. The colour photographs are quite lovely and some actually take the breath away and cause one to be amazed at the creativity of some of the members of the human race.

I have read most of the tapestry-weaving books in print or in my local university library and this is the one I turn to when I have a question. Nancy Harvey does a fantastic job of teaching the art and method of tapestry weaving from construction of a basic frame loom, to cartoon design, to finishing techniques. The book has good B&W illustrations and photos of the lessons, although larger photos would have been helpful-more like the wonderful color close-ups in Kristen Glassbrook's tapestry book. There are several teaching designs included in the book that are a pleasure to weave. Harvey's lesson on how to weave a circle is priceless as I have not seen that technique so well covered in any other book. The color photos included in the gallery illustrate a wide variety of weaving styles and are inspiring. I would especially recommend this book for intermediate weavers who are ready to progress beyond the lessons in Kristen Glassbrook's excellent book.

I have explored many resouces for a good example of how to design and utilize a cartoon. Ms. Harvey gave wonderful examples and a variety of ways to use the cartoon from design to final product. It was most helpful for a Jack loom weaver.

Must have for the "designing" weaver.

A very comprehensive and detailed guide, gives detailed drawings and clear explanation, to explain each element of tapestry weaving. With samples of each element, for the weaver to try, this study guide is a must for the beginning tapestry weaver.

"Tapestry is a handweaving technique that can be done on the simplest of looms. In fact you can begin with only a frame to hold the warp (the lengthwise threads) taut while you weave the weft (the crosswise threads). "

This book is written like a text book with simple explanation and projects that bet more complex towards the end. The illustrations are black and white hand drawings interspaced with monochrome and color stills.

I do not want to leave you with the impression that this is just a simple beginners' book as it has depth on the subject.

As a new weaver, I am finding this book to be very informative. It covers all the basics from equipment , estimating materials, techniques for tapestry weaving, as well as patterns for projects. The photographs are lovely and an inspiration to me to design my own tapestries. Like the author, I already have many ideas and not enough time to accomplish all I can imagine. I am reading through the book now in anticipation of beginning a project.
Tapestry Weaving is going to become a valuable reference guide to my weaving library.

After looking through several tapestry books, this one is far and away the best. Friendly and easy to read and follow. Well illustrated and illustrations support text thoroughly. Excellent for beginners!

This book is a wonderful book for someone who already weaves, or knows about the basics. It is titled COMPREHENSIVE, and this is very appropriate. I really like it and am glad to have it, but I can see that the experienced person would really be the one to benefit. It is hard to offer this portion of the critique, because the information in it is so good but, I do wish it had more color. This is an art of color and shading and color photos of techniques would have helped me a lot as a novice. I am still very glad I ordered it along with the book... titled Tapestry Weaving by Kirsten Glasbrook. Together they are beautiful complements and I feel that they both have their place side by side, rather than either one alone.

Beautiful book and so filled with info. I want to use it with my Navajo loom.

I felt this was a very comprehensive guide to the "want to be". It answered many questions I had before I decided to begin.