Weaving Iridescence

Bobbie Irwin has been studying and teaching how to weave iridescence for more than 10 years, and it has become her most popular workshop. She has written many articles for Handwoven magazine and is the author of three books: Twist and Twine, The Spinner's Companion, and Twined Rag Rugs. She resides in Montrose, Colorado.

• TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: What is Iridescence?Natural IridescenceIridescence in Fabric Chapter 2: Understanding Optics and ColorThe Nature of LightHow We SeeUnderstanding ColorColor Systems Chapter 3: Exploring Common Beliefs about IridescenceChoosing ColorsComplementary ColorsSplit Complements, Triads, and TetradsAnalogous ColorsColor SaturationValueCrossing Solid ColorsLusterFiber ChoiceThread SizeWhat About Plain Weave?Balanced Weaves Chapter 4: Additional Color ConsiderationsDealing with High-Contrast ValuesThe Ultimate Value ContrastColor MixingWorking with Multiple ColorsOther Multiple-Color OptionsWarp vs. Weft—Does it Matter? Chapter 5: Choosing YarnsA Matter of TwistComments on Certain Fibers and YarnsCottonLinenSilkWoolRayonChenilleSewing ThreadRibbonNylon MonofilamentWireThe New Yarns Chapter 6: The Influence of Weave StructureChoosing a StructureTwill WeavesThe Influence of Twist in Twill FabricStriped FabricsPile, Lace, and Supplementary Thread WeavesBalanced WeavesUnbalanced WeavesEchoTurned TaquetéComplex Weaves Chapter 7: Specialty FabricsSheer FabricsLace WeavesWeaving with Monofilament NylonWeaving with WireLayered FabricsMoiré EffectsPleated FabricsPile FabricsSatin/SateenCapturing the Natural Spectrum Chapter 8: Focus on FashionChoosing a PatternSewing with Handwoven FabricCaring for Your Iridescent FabricsAccessories for Your Iridescent Fashions Chapter 9: Options for Spinners, Dyers, and KnittersSpinning for IridescenceDye Your Own Color-Play YarnsIridescent Knitted Fabrics Chapter 10: What Isn’t Iridescent? Chapter 11: ProjectsSpectrum NapkinsAlternate ColorwayDouble-Weave Scarf6-Shaft Version4-Shaft VersionThree Scarves on One Warp3-Color Scarf in Half-Basketweave4-Color Twill Scarf4-Color Scarf with Clasped WeftVest Fabric in Double WeaveHuck YardageAlternate Colorway Chapter 12: Photographing Iridescent Textiles Recommended Resources

Now thanks to Bobbie Irwin, I can create my own iridescent fabric with her book Weaving Iridescence: Colorplay for the Handweaver.The book starts off with explaining iridescence, optics of light and color. The photographs help to interpret the results as well as give inspiration to your fiber choice, thread size and weave structure. Blue boxes highlight the information of the chapters. Bobbie touches on getting the most out of iridescence with sewing garments, spinning, dyeing and knitting. Then, she shows you how to achieve this technique using a loom that requires from 4 to 8 shafts. The projects include color gamp napkins, a double weave scarf in a 4 and 6 shaft version, 4 shaft scarves using 3 and 4 color effects, clasping, vest fabric in double-weave and lightweight huck yardage.She closes with a note on photography and the ins and outs of getting a good photograph of iridescent fabric. The photographs are well done and as I said before, lends them to motivate your creativeness. This is a one of a kind book to take your weaving and color appreciation to the next level.