Weaver's Idea Book

Jane Patrick grew up on the broad plains of south central Nebraska where, from an early age, she earned the moniker of "the family putzer" because she was always making things. It wasn't until she walked into the weaving studio at Löngum ri home economics school as an exchange student in Iceland that she knew that weaving was something she must do. Since then weaving has been both her livelihood and her hobby.Jane is the former editor of Handwoven magazine and is currently vice president of sales and service for Schacht Spindle Company Inc. She has taught weaving classes and workshops, given lectures on weaving, and juried textile art shows. Jane lives in Boulder, Colorado.

• Inside readers will learn:Techniques including leno, Brooks bouquet, soumak, and embroidery on fabricWeaving patterns and swatches that illustrate each technique, accompanied by beautiful step-by-step photographyHow to create 10 attractive projects, including a felted scarf, sturdy tote, evening wrap, table mat, tunic with pattern trim, felted wrap skirt with woven-in belt loops, honeycomb pillow pair, clasped-weft coasters, apron with paper pile, and a double weave table runnerWeaving tips and tricks to help weavers at all levels achieve their textile dreams

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