The Weaver's Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom [Spiral-bound]

Jane Patrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2010

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As a guide for beginners and practiced weavers Jane Patrick's book is inspirational. Although specifically aimed at the rigid heddle loom, the 200 pages hold a wealth of information on weave structures and patterns that can be used on many looms. The spiral bound, textbook-style layout is good, with clear section separation, and the chapters take you up a hierarchy of difficulty. I felt comfortable with plain, finger-controlled and pick up weaves, then I marvelled in awe at sections on warp and weft-faced frabrics and working with two heddles. There is a nod to garment and item construction in the guise of a few set pieces, but the book's real strength is in opening a treasure chest of weaving possibility to new or relatively inexperienced weavers. Each section provides a soft kaleidoscope of samples which I have already been tempted to replicate. The book will doubtless remain a good source book to refer to for new creative ideas and inspiration. However, the book might give the absolute beginner a puzzle at times, as it is not always clear and sometimes repetitive. Generally though, the book was a joy to read and is unlikely to gather dust on my bookshelf." - Journal for Weavers Spinners & Dyers

About the Author

Jane Patrick is the former editor of Handwoven, and vice president of sales for Schacht Spindle Company in Boulder, CO. She is the author of Time to Weave (Interweave, 2006).

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 240 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press; Spi edition (August 17, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681756
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681750
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Use your rigid heddle loom as never before!, August 21, 2010

By 

Caroline M. Alexander "kero1au" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Weaver's Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom (Spiral-bound)

Anyone who thinks that rigid heddle looms are only for plain weave needs to think again! This is the book that rigid heddlers have been waiting for, not that its only for people with some experience of weaving. Jane Patrick starts at the beginning and take you on a journey that not only covers lace weaving, pick-up and simple bronson, but krokbragd, and 3/1 twills with 2 heddles, double weave, honeycomb, block weave, two layer work and more. This pushes the boundaries of what you can do with a rigid heddle loom back further than ever before, and its done with clear instructions, excellent colour photos of the woven cloth, and even instructions for those with 4 shaft looms who don't want to be left out.
Newbies should not be put off by the advanced rigid heddling techniques inside this book. The author starts with a comprehensive description of the rigid heddle loom, and you will find a step by step guide for direct warping at the back of the book. Indirect warping is covered where direct warping is no longer suitable. There are a couple of projects, but this is not a project book as such. If you follow the descriptions of the different techniques and their variations, you will be weaving samplers that will stand you in good stead for future projects. A weaving record sheet is also provided for you to make notes.
If you only ever purchase one book on rigid heddling techniques, this should be it. Its a book of techniques, not projects, and will be referred to time and time again and so deserves a place beside your loom.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, August 23, 2010

By 

BPM (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Weaver's Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom (Spiral-bound)

I'm rarely moved to submit a review, but this book has certainly done so. The presentation is gorgeous, as well as very clear. And, the content is equally amazing. Starting from basic weave, it quickly moves into variations and more complex techniques and projects. A must for anyone with a rigid heddle loom, and a good reason to go out and buy one!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on the subject, November 3, 2010

By 

Amanda Erickson (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Weaver's Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom (Spiral-bound)

Many people tout Betty Linn Davenport's book "Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving" as THE book on rigid heddle weaving, but in my opinion, this book by Jane Patrick is just as informative and gives you more ideas/inspiration. I have gotten a couple books on the subject from my library and none of them, including Davenport's book even compared to this one. I knew immediately that THIS is THE book to own regarding rigid heddle weaving.

A huge plus is the spiral binding that allows you to easily open it, and leave it opened, to any page.