Betty Briand's interest in textiles is rooted in childhood skills learned from her grandparents who were passionate about fiber arts: weaving, spinning, vegetable dyeing, knitting, and making ropes. After solid training from several instructors, she became a full-time weaving teacher. Today, she works with students in her ARTissage workshop/school located in Chinon in Touraine, France, while continuing her own explorations in weaving.

The Art of Weaving by Betty Briand should be on your library shelf. Ms. Briand shares her incredibly vast knowledge of weaving in this very impressive book. It is a book for all weavers regardless of their weaving experience. The book gives clear explanations on every aspect of weaving. The author also goes into detail on many different weave structures and give tips on how to approach weaving them. There are also many helpful hints scattered throughout the book to make your weaving successful the first time.

--Tom Knisely

Synopsis: "The Art of Weaving: Master the Techniques, Understand the Weave Structures, Create Your Own Designs" by Betty Briand is a comprehensive instruction guide to floor loom weaving. It begins with the basics (parts of the loom, how to wind your warp and dress your loom; how to read and weave drafts) but then goes so much farther, explaining the different types of weaves and how to read and weave from charts, and exploring a variety of weaves in depth.

"The Art of Weaving" covers each topic in detail, with illustrations, photos, and charts to guide you. The first half of the book is devoted to the basics of weaving, and the second part teaches a variety of weave structures and how to use them and adapt them to whatever you want to make.

"The Art of Weaving" is extensive in its scope, and a reference book appropriate for all skill levels as it covers: Preparing your yarn and threading your floor loom; Understanding and working from drafts; Exploring weave structures; Finishing; Troubleshooting.

Critique: Comprehensive, illustrated, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Art of Weaving: Master the Techniques, Understand the Weave Structures, Create Your Own Designs" is an ideal introduction to loom weaving wither as a DIY how-to manual or as an academic curriculum textbook. While highly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and community library collections, it should be noted that "The Art of Weaving" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $32.49) as well.

-- "Midwest Book Review"

Publisher: Stackpole Books

Pub date: 2023-08-01

Length: 284 pages