Finger Weaving: Indian Braiding (Paperback)

~ Alta R. Turner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Learn the ancient art of flat braiding (a method that predates the loom) and make beautiful woven sashes, belts, collars, neckties, and headbands. Fully diagrammed and illustrated, these directions show how to create original, expertly woven creations. Includes historical information on the techniques and designs used.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Book Publishing Company (TN); 1 edition (December 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935741135
• ISBN-13: 978-0935741131
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #220,665 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for students of Native American handicrafts., February 3, 2000

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Finger weaving (also called Indian braiding) dates back centuries. All that is needed to weave these intricate, beautiful designs is a short dowel, some vividly colored yearn, and your fingers. Alta Turner draws upon her years of experience as a teacher of finger weaving to introduce the reader to the basic techniques and patterns of the North American Plains and Woodlands Indians, including the diagonal, chevron, double chevron, diamond, double diamond, lightning, double lightning and arrow-head designs. Following these, she demonstrates several striking Peruvian designs (including the Peruvian rep braids and Peruvian cross rep braids). The informative text is enhanced with diagrams and illustrated directions enabling the reader to create woven sashes, belts, collars, neck-ties, headbands, and bands for trimming or lengthening clothes. Finger Weaving: Indian Braiding is an inexpensive but invaluable 48 page booklet that will prove of high interest to students of Native American culture, costumers, and needlecrafters.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Depth, September 1, 2005

By	Kenneth Johnson "FL_SHAMAN" (Milton, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is highly in-depth and covers a wide range of cultures and techniques.

Due to the nature of the subject matter, I doubt that many people would be interested in this book. However, this book hold great historic value as since the art of finger weaving is dying out in cultures all across America.

As a Cherokee, I want to have authentic regalia for pow wows and when I go into schools. My own people have forgotten much of how to do this sort of weaving. But, thanks to the book, I can re-create items like my ancestors once did.

My only bit of advice is that I would like the author/publisher to do an expanded version of the book for more examples...or maybe a DVD or online accompanyment to the book so that you can actually see people weaving. Sometimes, no matter how great the book is, nothing beats seeing it done.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for a Beginner, March 14, 2008

By	Wanda_J (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

I purchased this book back in the summer when I wanted to get the basics of fingerweaving. The author explained the steps in great detail that even I could follow them and was successful at making my first handwoven sash. It does, however, require a lot of patience (and peace and quiet) to work on such an intricate project. Start off slowly with the diagonal and chevron patterns (the easiest) before tackling the others. All in all, I recommend this book.