Totally Reading not Doing

My new collection of books from Ebay and other sources are inspiring me to dream of what I could do one day!

Traditional Indian Textiles by John Gillow and Nicholas Barnard is just a visual feast of woven, printed and embroidered textiles in full luscious and yummy colour. Great dye and ornamentation inspiration.

I consider myself lucky to have scored Navajo and Hopi Weaving Techniquesby Mary Pendleton published in 1975. Along with authentic Navajo weaving instructions it also includes Hopi weaving techniques which I haven’t come across very often. I’ve wanted this book for many years.

Making Kumihimo by Rodrick Owen is stretching my collection as this book is really dedicated to braids made on the takadai rather than the marudai. However it is a beautiful book and I hope that some of its ideas are transferable.

The Book of Kimono by Norio Yamanaka is really a guide to dressing and wearing kimono. I think it is the practical application and companion for what I consider to be the most wonderful read: Kimono by Liza Dalby.

Lastly the total excitement Maori Fibre Techniques by Mick Pendergrast. This covers a broad range of basketry and textile techniques including whiri braiding, some taniko and one of my favourites, knotless looping which is used in traditional bags of the Indigenous peoples of Australia. Although there is no colour in the book it is full of many photos, some historical, and clear illustrations of techniques. Mick has written several books, Fun with Flax being a great accessible introduction to weaving with NZ Flaz.