Mastering Weave Structures: Transforming Ideas into Great Cloth

by Sharon Alderman

This exploration into the structure of various weaves provides an understanding of how each weave works, guiding weavers to design and weave their own beautiful fabrics. The underlying principles that govern a particular kind of structure are explained, as are modifying the basic draft and choosing fibers and yarns. Comprehensive and detailed, the book covers plain weave, twills, satin, waffle weaves, distortions of the grid, three-element weaves, loom-controlled double weave, Bedford cords and piques, loom-controlled pile weaves, and crepe weaves.

Genres: Reference, Crafts, Nonfiction

257 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Dymphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mastering weave structures" is a book for the more experience weavers, although a novice like also got a lot of inspiration from it.

The book is divided in chapters which each deals with a certain type of weave, such as twill and crepe. In each chapter, the author explains the basic principle and providing many weave drafts for variations on this basic principle. This makes the book a great reference for future weaving.

Throughout the book, colourful images, which feature the type of weave in that particular chapter, illustrate the richness and diversity that is weaving.

All and all, this book gives a wonderfull insight in what is possible by using a regular handweaving loom, without much hassle. It is indeed for the more experience weavers, because there is a lot of jargon in the book. Yet, this book is highly recommended for everyone who weaves by hand.

[Cookie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing and inspiring book for the intermediate to advanced weaver. Just glancing through makes me want to start warping and dressing my loom!
Most of these are way beyond my skill level, but give me much to aspire to.
It is a pleasant read. It would be an ideal weaver's coffee table book If my copy didn't have post-it notes all over it.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for your library.

“Mastering Weaving Structures” is a book that can serve multiple purposes. As stated originally it would be good to have it for your library. It also would make a nice coffee table book to start up a conversation on weaving. However, it is intricate enough to use as a textbook interweaving class.

Not that I can’t use black-and-white drafts, but it is nice to have it in color so that it can relate to the finished product.

For the neophyte a beginning couple of chapters to get you off the ground and running. After that, you can go crazed trying every pattern as the fun is the pattern.

If you don’t have your will, you can go through this page by page anticipating. You also help decide how many shafts you intend to purchase.

More than just the mechanics of weaving he goes into the structures and types of yarn.

I can go on forever but then I would be writing the book. So, if you only have one book to purchase you need to give this one serious consideration.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon is my mentor and I will never be finished with this book. I use it continually as a reference book. She has forgotten more about weaving than most people will ever know and is always happy to share and teach.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Sharon Alderman's designs

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good reference book for more advanced or "serious" weavers. Not really for the beginner but that's okay! Detailed instructions on how to achieve different woven patterns and textures.

[Boronia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hummed and haaed about buying this book. So you don't have to . Just get it, it's brilliant. It won't gather dust, you'll be refering to it regularly.

[Jeanine]

This is a beautiful book. Full of great weaving patterns. I am currently working on a crepe from this book.