ART CRAFT

xvii + 217 pp. bw illustrations of patterns. #161024 Revised Edition, October 1977 19th prining. Damaged dustjacket, name on fep

Sought after for nearly a century, A Handweaver’s Pattern Book is the venerable compendium of weaving patterns found in early 20th century America by Marguerite Davison. Weavers of all experience levels can learn everything from basic twills to over-shot and irregular patterns. Often hailed “the handweaver’s bible,” this collection of patterns is complemented with fascinating textile history and helpful black-and-white photos. Numerous treadlings, illustrated with over 1,200 weavings, accompany each design that inspire innovation for expert weavers as well as provide helpful information for weavers who have yet reached that level. Davison also includes a yarn comparison chart in this comprehensive and highly visual guide. Perfect for both commercial and home weavers, this extensive handbook of strikingly diverse patterns will keep any four-harness weaver busy for years to come!

“This book is a historical source of weaving patterns that was published in 1944 long before there were computers. The method of notation is older than what we are now used to but at the time is was easily understood. It doesn’t matter if the treadling is on the right or the left…you start at the top and treadle down. Some patterns have 2 columns of treadling so start with the column that comes directly out of the tie-up box and then the pattern may continue in the next column. The treadlings that have numbers in the columns refer to the number of times you treadle that treadle and in most cases these are supplementary weft structures that have alternating tabby picks in between those pattern picks. It will say “use tabby” and that infers alternating tabby picks. It is extremely useful to read the chapter notes before you dive into the drafts as there is a lot of information in those notes. You do have your hands on a gem…I have learned so much from these drafts, things I didn’t understand early on are clear as a bell now, but it does take time. Weaving is an incredibly deep subject, worthy of a lifetime of study. Start at the beginning of the book and slowly work your way through. I’m sure you will come to see it as a great gift.

I should add that all the patterns are written for sinking shed looms. If you are weaving these drafts on a Jack loom (rising shed) you need to tie-up the empty boxes in the tie-up. Your treadling would remain the same.”