Monthly Meetings

The Valley Weavers & Spinners meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month. Social Hour starts at 6:00 pm and the meetings start at 7:00 pm. We meet at the Denkmann-Hauberg house at 1300 24th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201.

If you are a gps funster here are the coordinates:
41.4993, -90.567195
41.4993-90.567195

N41° 29.958', W090° 34.0317'(precision: address)


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Suggested Reading From Experienced Weavers

If you love books as much as I do and would like to add to your collection, Here are a few here that could be considered essential.

The first is Learning to Weave by Deborah Chandler.  It is available in hardcover or paperback from Interweave Press.  You can also pick it up from Amazon.com if you prefer.


Learning to Weave was originally published in 1995 and the author, Deborah Chandler, wrote this with the student in mind.  Deborah is a contributing editor to Handwoven magazine which is also published by Interweave.

Detailed explanations of tools and beginning steps help the beginner to get started quickly.  The compendium of information is a valuable reference for the experienced weaver too.  I've spotted this book frequently at guild meetings.  If you have a copy please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments area.

Second up is a handy little book that's easy to take along to class or have nearby your loom.  The Weaver's Companion by Linda Ligon and Mary Murphy, also published by Interweave, is spiral bound and printed on sturdy stock. 




Some of the jewels included are sleying charts, formulas, and fiber identification tests.  When you just want to grab and flip to the information you need this book is concise enough to keep you on track. (I have a tendency to get sidetracked when I see pretty pictures.)

This is just one of  four books in the "Companion Series."   The other three in the series being The Spinner's Companion, The Knitter's Companion and The Crocheter's Companion. 

The third book I wanted to mention is a book that you may want to consider when you are farther along in your weaving journey.  The Handweaver's Pattern Directory: Over 600 Weaves for 4-Shaft Looms by Anne Dixon will keep you busy just choosing the first pattern you want to try.  This book is highly recommended as a reference due to the detail, color photos that are actual size or larger and the logical progression of easier weaves to more difficult patterns.


This is another Interweave Press gem that is spiral bound so it will lay flat as you work.  Anne Dixon is also a contributor to Handwoven magazine, guild member of the Association of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, and a founding member of the Braid Society.

The above are just quick descriptions of the books.  If you would like to take a look at them before committing to purchasing there are many guild members that have these books in their collection and could bring them to a meeting to pass around.

If you have any other books that you would like to add to the list, feel free to email or comment.

Links to discover:



Thanks for visiting and be sure to leave a comment!
Diana

P.S.  Don't forget the latest issue of Handwoven!


1 comment:

  1. So glad to see your blog is up and running - we'll be sure to spread the word through our Quad City SnB! :)

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