Thank you #NetGalley for the review copy of #ShadowWeaveSimply

This book is suitable for people with experience with weaving or any needlework (embroidery, cross-stitch, etc) and may also be usable by complete novices, though I would recommend doing some small practice projects to work on the techniques described in the introductory parts before diving in to the rest of the book. That said, the introduction is almost 40 pages long and very very detailed in terms of materials/tools and procedures, so this definitely isn't a book that's solely for those with a ton of pre-existing experience.

In terms of formatting, the table of contents includes photographs for each project alongside the title and page number, the project pages include close-up and normal photographs of the design as well as pattern diagrams and materials lists, and there are many beautiful images of the completed designs in use as a scarf, tablecloth, etc.

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

As a weaver I've seen projects like this over the years and always assumed they were incredibly complicated or some kind of overshot patterning. And the vintage info I have seen was complicated and difficult to read to put into action.

This isn't a book for novice weavers by any means, you definitely need to have experience using either 4 harness or 8 harness looms. And how to set up and get going. This will not be a place to learn weaving basics by any means.
But Shadow Weave Simply by Susan Kesler- Simpson makes it very simple to get these types of patterns set up, all the info you need to follow their project or morph it into your own project is right there. They give you everything you need.

I'm really looking forward to trying these out!

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.

A pattern book of beautiful weaving designs. The first section is an introduction to weaving, but the novice probably needs a more basic book to get started (I was quickly lost). Intermediate to advanced weavers will enjoy these gorgeous patterns, though. Plenty of charts, illustrations, and photos of finished projects for inspiration.

This weaving book is fantastic it has very in-depth informative tips, suggestions, techniques and detailed instructions for successfully weaving all of the projects in the book. The pictures are beautiful as are the 25 projects in this book. I must admit my skills in the art form are lack luster so I very excited to try to up my game by completing a few of these. I highly recommend this book asa resource for learning to weave. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.