The Xenakis technique for the construction of four harness textiles

by David Xenakis

The Xenakis Technique for the Construction of Four Harness Textiles by Athanasios David Xenakis (1978, Golden Fleece Publications) 

49 pages, 8.5"x11", soft cover, staple binding. Learn weaving with three rigid heddles, to duplicate four shaft frame looms. Assumes you can warp the loom & weave with one heddle, after that, the only assumption is that you share the author's enthusiasm for exploring weave structure. 

Why weave with three heddles Anne Dixon's book The Handweaver's Pattern over 600 weaves for 4-shaft looms gives you 600 reasons. The jump from two to three heddles is not complicated. In fact, by the end of the book, Xenakis even suggests a fifth doupe (lifting) heddle to weave a satin on the rigid heddle. 

Although the book assumes you can warp the loom and weave with one heddle, after that, its only assumption is that you share the author's enthusiasm for exploring weave structure. He explains shaft-loom drafts and gives a simple way to record the heddle threading, even providing blank worksheets. Then he explores the first four harness pattern most weavers tackle—twill; segues to a brief note on two heddle weaves, then back to three heddles with notes on double weave, overshot, summer and winter, and crackle.

49 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1978

About the author

One of the three founding members founding XRX publications, David Xenakis has proven that one should do what one loves. Meeting Elaine Rowley in her shop The Golden Fleece with Alexis Xenakis in tow while searching for more materials for his work-in-progress, a bond was forged that lead to a highly successful career producing magazines and books.