Taaniko: Maori Hand-Weaving
359626
Great book for the beginner Taaniko Weaver - both overseas with modern material (as described in the book - with wool) but also for NZ weavers who are keen to use traditional Muka (Fibre from Harakeke - NZ Flax) - with some great step by step instructions.
980132
I think this is the only book dedicated to the materials used in the Thrones of the Orishas as well as the Traje De Galas,  Beautiful pictures of panios, coronas, ceremonial vestments.  Informative.  This is a good book for the curious who would like to see what our sacred initiation garments, Shrines, and altar items look like.  Smnall into to some of the Orisha as venerated in Santeria.
This is not traditional ceremonial clothing as used in Yorualand, but that of the Lucumi Ocha followers of the New World.  And let me stress, that the garments and thrones, are an Art Form in themselves.  Beautiful Pictures.
4481778
Copiously illustrated in color; weaving specifics well described.

Pix of tribal activities and history. Good reference work for beginning collector and student of flatweaves.
1004352
Rep Weave and Beyond is a joy to look at and read.  As a weaver of many years, this is at the top of my list of inspirational books.  First of all, it's visually beautiful, being filled with full-color photographs of the author's work, which is gorgeous.  Ms. Tallarovic lives in Arizona, and she draws inspiration for her elegant color ways from the hues of the southwest: ecru, gold, bronze, terra cotta, reds, greens, dusky purples, and turquoise.  She seems to be comfortable using both earth tones as well as more vibrant colors.  She has based many of her designs on Native American weavings and pottery patterns.  These are sensitive interpretations done with respect for the traditions she borrows from, and her incorporation of the patterns into a European weave structure works very well aesthetically.

Second, the book is filled with projects which are clearly explained down to the last minute detail, along with color photos of each finished piece.  The author lays a good foundation for these project recipes in the first section of the book, where she outlines her method of winding a warp, dressing the loom, tying on, weaving a heading, in short--all the preliminaries every weaver should know.  Beginner weavers should find the instructions manageable.

Ms. Tallarovic wrote this book for weavers who want to explore rep weave, but for whom the traditional Scandinavian technique might be out of reach.  Due to the very close warp setts used in the traditional version of this weave, getting a good shed on a jack loom can be a problem.  In addition, weaving rugs with setts of 90 ends per inch might be beyond the patience level of many  people.

To make rep weave more "weaver friendly," the author has spent years experimenting with using thicker threads at lower setts.  All of the projects in this book can be woven using Maysville cotton carpet warp, which comes in over 40 colors.  Using the Maysville cotton, her designs can be warped using setts of between 16 and 40 ends per inch.  These warps do not completely cover the weft, which ends up, as she notes, "producing a livelier, more dynamic surface."  From what I could see in the photographs, she is correct in that regard.

Also, as she uses printed fabric for many of her thick wefts, a layered effect happens when the block patterning of the warp threads floats over the printed pattern of the woven fabric strips.  A further innovation she has come up with is using many colors in the pattern warp, rather than the traditional two colors.

Perhaps what I like most about this book is seeing how someone can bring a traditional weave forward into the present.  Ms. Tallarovic has furthered the evolution of this ancient weaving form.  She has added to its visual excitement, made it more accessible to the average weaver, and shown how patient experimentation can add new life to a tried and true technique.  There are so many directions each individual weaver can go with this method of weaving once s/he has mastered what the author offers in the book.  I can envision using painted warps and/or hand-dyed or painted wefts.  I can also see using oriental papers as wefts as well.  That would be only a beginning.
3352520
I love different cultures' needlecraft & make a few for gifts every year. Very nice.
573180
A great addition to my weaving library.  There are several projects that I am planning to do over the next few months.  Ashford is a great company.

Anthony
4927871
'Writing with Thread' is a beautifully illustrated and well written catalog which accompanied an exhibition from the Huang Ying Feng collection and the Evergrand Art Museum in Taoyuan, Taiwan.  In lieu of a written language the costumes displayed in the catalog are viewed as anthropological, historical, artistic, and cultural 'texts'.  By comparing the different styles of the fifteen ethnic groups represented in the catalog, intercultural interaction is also revealed.

Various textile techniques (weaving, dyeing, embroidery, batik, etc.) are described, and sumptuously photographed in color by Wang Lin-sheng and Hal Lum.  Within each ethnic minority group represented in the catalog, an ensemble is dissected and each element described in concise paragraphs, accompanied by full-length photographs and detailed close-ups.

The catalog is easy to read, clearly laid out, and beautifully designed by Kelli Ann Harada.  A 'must-have' for lovers of costumes, textiles, and cultural/media anthropology.
4106962
This was an excellent project and is just stunning finished.  It has a big variety of stitches and colors, and although the instructions were in Japanese, they were easy to follow.  It took me a year to finish, but now I miss working on it!
4247797
This is a great book for the beginning weaver. It goes into great detail with every step of weaving. I like the pink twill pattern which I will make as soon as possIble.
806012
this is a great book for us primitive lovers... there is a project for everyone from a simple pin cushion to journals and a coverlet... directions help you do your own thing... a very laid back approach to quilting and applique
3257827
A great book.  I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in wool or primitive applique.
3699616
Softcover, 12" x 8.5", 188 Pages, Extensive Notes, 8-Page Bibliography, Glossary, 3  Maps, 75 Field Photos, 51 Plates of Tapis, (and also many smaller photos.) Author : Mary-Louise Tatton. Published by. Hood Museum Of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 2009..

Tapis are the wrap-around sarongs from the Lampung region of southern Sumatra, woven from cotton and silk. This book has everything you could possibly want in a tribal art book, featuring beautiful and well photographed items with an informative text and illuminating field photos. I'm not usually a big fan of tribal fabrics, but this book is a real eye-opener.
4722213
Very pretty patterns. I am so glad I checked it out. Thank you Tara cousins! I'm going to make at least two of them. Probably more!
3119562
Well done! I really learned how to weave(plait) a bracelet! The book design,format is very good..fully deserves five stars!!.After thinking about my review and looking at other reviews, i thought i would add a little more info. I recommend, in addition to Mr Widesses excellent book, a little known pamphlet type book locally published in Hawaii, currently  listed as"out of print unavailable" The books long title is"Kupuna Maunakeas Lauhala Preparation and Simple Weaving"(1994) written by an expert Hawaiian weaver. This is not listed in the bibliography. I suggest a new inexperience weaver  request a copy from the Hawaii State LIbrary. The main branch has several copies for loan,  #746.41. There are several simple projects for the beginner,and has a very friendly style. This book would supplemen(not replace!) Mr. Widesses book. Later update on bibliography: The Univ of Hawaii just published an informative,somewhat scholarly review of the art of Lauhala:  Ike Ulana Lau Hala (by O'Neil,Keawe  etc) #746.42099 in library..This is a Hawaiian studies approach to Lauhala.  History and culture, but no instructions.
3566958
I found the DVD "Maori culture traditions and history" to be an excellent documentary about the Maori Culture of New Zealand.  Historian, Mr Don Stafford, presents the program in an easy yet informative style. The art and traditions on the culture are well covered...there is eve a bonus video clip of a full Maori Haka (War dance)!!. Regarding value...there is a beautiful bonus documentary entitled "Wonders of Nature" also included in the DVD...this shows all the beautiful natural sights and scenery New Zealand is renowned for!!...Highly recommended!!
2083065
This is a good book for anyone interest in textile embellishment.
3713589
If you are interested in loom bead weaving, this book is very inspiring. There are forty pages of color photos of different kinds of projects, including necklaces, purses, earrings, belts, brooches, and corsages.  The designs have a strong art deco and japanese floral influence, and even though it was published in 2000 the designs are still contemporary.  The book assumes that you have access to an 11" loom and that you already know the basics of loom bead weaving.  The author goes over several advanced techniques, like joining woven pieces, attaching linings to bags with a purse frame, shaping the bottom of draw string bags, attaching zippers to bags, and making unusual fringes.  It was originally published in Japanese but is well translated.  All of the measurements are metric and the bead colors & sizes are not very specific.  Some of the hardware is challenging to find in the US.  Nonetheless, Takako Sako is an amazing bead artist and the suggestions she provides on how to weave purses and bags are worth the price of the book.