Product Description

Colorful and sometimes complex textiles are still produced in many parts of the world using only the simplest tools and equipment. The Art of the Loom focuses on eight areas of special interest--Navaho weaving in North America; bedouin textiles in the Middle East; West African narrow-strip weaving; Indonesian textiles; "kasuri" resist dyeing in Japan; inlay weaving in Nepal; brocaded motifs from Guatemala; and Peruvian tapestry weaving--and describes the fibers used, the methods of spinning and dyeing, the types of loom and the techniques of weaving. Examples of the best textiles from each area are supplemented with numerous photographs of spinners, weavers, and dyers at work, and diagrams showing how the various effects are achieved. As well as providing students and anthropologists with a valuable insight into working methods in a wide variety of traditional communities, this book and the exciting textiles it illustrates will be an endless source of ideas and ispiration for practising weavers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #526280 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .58" h x 8.30" w x 10.86" l, 1.55 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

From Library Journal
Hecht details the history and the diversity of complex textiles created with traditional methods that are still in use today. General descriptions of fibers, methods of spinning and dyeing, types of looms, and techniques of weaving are outlined in the introduction. The eight areas highlighted include Navaho Indian weaving in North America, the work of the Bedouin from the Arabian peninsula, West African narrow-strip weaving, inlay weaving in Nepal, Indonesian textiles, "kasuri" resist dyeing from the islands of Japan, brocaded motifs from Guatemala, and Peruvian tapestry weaving. Each section relates the importance of textiles in the culture while defining the uniqueness of the materials and the process of creation. Numerous photographs illustrate examples of textiles and artisans at work. This beautiful and scholarly title is for large public and academic libraries with an interest in the decorative arts.
- Judith Yankielun Lind, Roseland Free P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Ann Hecht taught weaving, spinning, and dyeing for 17 years in adult education, and for many years she designed and produced the Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.