Shadow Weave Simply

Shadow Weave Simply is a tutorial and technique guide for overshot/twill structured weaving. Due out 1st March 2020 from Stackpole Books, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is an intermediate (or keen beginner with help) level book. The layout is logical and accessible, but it presupposes a fair bit of technical knowledge on the part of the reader (terms like drawdown, draft, ascending/descending twill, treadling, etc are not defined in the text). The text is meticulous and the drafts are error free (as much as I could see) and the photography is lush and clear.

The book starts with a theory chapter on breaking down the twill patterns and figuring out the light and dark threading patterns. Using the examples given in the first chapter, the reader can certainly break down and draft original designs. The next four chapters cover threading and treadling for both 4 and 8 harness looms. Following chapters build on the previous material and include balancing a design, adding borders and more.

The balance of the book includes 25 really gorgeous project tutorials. All of them are wonderful (see cover). The projects are shown in a full color photo gallery list in the table of contents for easy access. All of the projects include an introduction, dimensions (in American and metric measurements *yay*!), sett, suggested tools and fibres, warp and weft info and put-up (necessary yardage of each color). All of the drafts are included (in beautifully clear machine printed format, NOT hand-written which looks like it was photocopied off the back of a paper napkin - we all have those books at home, admit it).

The earliest tutorials as well the introductory chapters include step by step instructions. The later projects presuppose a fair bit of independence and there's not a lot of hand holding on the part of the author.  Threading and treadling info is provided with the drafts.

This would make a superlative selection for guild library, makers group, workshop or retreat text, or personal library. This is such a good and clear instructional book, I would recommend it even for weavers or fibre artists who aren't quite at the necessary level (yet) as a source of inspiration and growth.

Five stars. Very very well done book.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.