Simple Weave, authored by Kerstin Neumuller
Batsford
Woven garments, woven rugs, interior items….often we associate this method of making with out of reach notions. We may all want to have a go on an industrial sized loom, yet how many of us will achieve that aspiration? I associate this technique with slower times, where girls in wooden dresses slogged out their days in a wind of fibre dust; simply to make the days crust…..okay this example may not sound appealing to live, yet the results were often beautiful.
I do however, love the idea of the the outcome; do you?
Imagine, if it could be made accessible, achievable whether you want to be a “loom traveller” or work from your home / studio. Lets briefly locate a few gems from this blue hard title.
As an artist, I have previously associated her work with more mending and dyeing than weaving. It almost seems a step away from her recognisable artistic style. Yet when viewing her books as a trio, they all seem to connect in their nature. When I reflect on her practice methods, it is all in tandem…the dyeing can be used with the cloth for both weaving and mending. Maybe a small piece could be mended via a woven method….
In conjunction with this, the colour ways used throughout the book are very much her trademark palette. All the blues, greys and natural hues.
Fifteen projects, not the usual…think small in size, big in quality. Pencil cases, bracelets…..I dare you not to lie awake with weaving what if scenarios….this time though, your intertwined dreams may not be out of your size bracket.
The book to explain further, has three chapters, which doesn’t sound many, however these are more like sections, all with like content. (One, basic weaving theory, two, projects, three, the more how to make tools suitable instruction)
Personally what I found to be most surprising was the connection between textile art as its generally perceived and other crafts, namely woodworking. I gain sourcing your own wood in order to make the tools required for the weaving technique you are exploring? Talk about making crafts from scratch…yet surely this constant imersmenu in every single area of the making is very satisfying internally?
Carve a backstrap loom? What is she on about? You will only discover the answer if you own a copy to turn to page 122…..
As children, maybe we all had a toy hidden in our pockets…as adults, imagine knowing there was a loom, with a woven piece in the making! She successfully shows how it is achievable in this title. Go check out Neumüller’s website and do purchase a copy.