Book Review – Next steps in weaving

Today, I completed my reading of “Next steps in weaving” by Pattie Graver. I am glad that I picked up this book at my local library because I found it to be filled with a logical step by step process of learning about structures using a 4 shaft table loom.  The Book covers Twill, Color-and-Weave, Overshot including Mok’s Belt, Summer and Winter, Lace – both Atwater Bronson and Huck.

In each chapter Pattie explains the new structure in detail and presents both a sampler project and a functional project for the weaver to complete. The samples are going to weave up in an afternoon or evening, the projects will take a bit longer. The goal of the book is to have the weaver get used to making samples that are completed separate from a project warp, and are used to explore the inner workings of pattern design possibilities using only changes in structure.

Best quotes:

I became a “weaver”; that is, before I was able to progress from “knowing how” to “knowing why”.

My desire to get weaving was far stronger than any longing to understand weave structures.

You’ll gain experience much faster by working on smaller piece and you’ll have fewer surprises when you do move to full projects.

 

Projects:

Scarf of Lucky Colors

Hydrangea Bouquet Scarf

Contemporary Overshot Towels

Summer and Winter Placemats

An Atwater-Bronson Lace Table Runner

 

The project that I will be completing from this book are the samplers. I have been weaving on 8 shafts or more for a while I have yet to explore all of these structures on a 4 shaft loom.

My favorite project to try will be the shadow weave. In this book Pattie Graver provide a very thorough explanation  of how Shadow weaves can be created from twill drafts. I have not seen this type of explanation before.

Link to Next steps in weaving on the weaving resources page: https://historicweaving.com/wordpress/weaving_resources/next-steps-in-weaving-what-you-never-knew-you-needed-to-know

My first piece on my AVL loom

DSCF0003 3I began my weaving adventure on my AVL loom with a summer and winter structure. My goal was to immediately see how much detail I could capture in a single structure. Leave it to me to bite off more than one person should chew in one sitting. This was the throw that I wove based on Mary Meigs Atwater Recipe 19 from from her recipe book. It was woven in cotton. Little did I know how hard wearing this little project would be. More than 10 years of daily use it is still in great shape; no holes or stains, it is machine washed often in warm water. It sits on my favorite rocking chair in my living room a testament to my humble beginnings.