New tapestry books coming...
I’ve mentioned in a previous post that it’s an exciting time for tapestry weavers. I wrote about the new yarns expected soon in a previous blog post and the new Arras loom in my first newsletter, but there’s so much more to come!
There are also - not just one or two- but more than five new books centered around tapestry in the works right now. Some to be released this summer, some later this year, and some are still in hush mode!
Available June 2020
First up, Anatomy of a Tapestry: Techniques, Materials, Care by Jean Pierre and Yaden Larochette and Yael Lurie. It also has the first release date of June 28, 2020. The brief description states the basis of the book is the “history, legacy, and boundless creativity of weavers over the centuries.” And that it features “30 traditional techniques built upon weavers’ centuries of work” along with a section devoted to the conservation of tapestries by Yaden Larochette.
If you’re not familiar with these names, I’ll just say that I remember them (not Yaden- she is the daughter of Jean Pierre and Yael) from my formative years in tapestry in the 70’s. They have had a huge impact on the direction and history of tapestry in the US since then. You can read more about that history and see some of their works in this article and exhibit for ATA (American Tapestry Alliance) by Susan Martin Maffei.
Available in late July
The Art is the Cloth by Micala Sidore
Another tapestry artist who is an expert in the history of tapestry Is Micala Sidore. Her book, The Art is the Cloth, is not a how-to book but one that promises a rich education in the qualities of a tapestry. With photos of more than 300 tapestries from the 12th to the 21st centuries, she covers ways to recognize techniques and nuances that tapestries are known for. Sure to be a gem!
Watch this wonderful video of Micala from Hawley Street Tapestry Studio as she talks about tapestry and her work.
Ikat: The Essential Handbook to Weaving Resist-Dyed Cloth (The Weaver's Studio) by Mary Zicafoose
Mary Zicafoose has been working with the ikat technique for more than 30 years and shares her knowledge in Ikat: The Essential Handbook to Weaving Resist-Dyed Cloth, what certainly sounds like a comprehensive book on ikat. Along with a history of ikat, she includes detailed how-to instruction for warp, weft, double ikat techniques, wrapping boards, and dye system recipes. If that’s not enough, she also includes projects and contemporary examples. If you’ve ever wanted to try the ikat technique, this is the book for you!
Mary also has a great website. Be sure to click on the video of her studio tour. She shows a bit of her technique. Eye candy at it’s best!
Due out October 2020
To be released October 27, Rebecca Mezoff’s book, The Art of Tapestry Weaving, a Complete Guide to Mastering the Techniques for Making Images With Yarn, is sure to be a must-have-go-to comprehensive (320 pages!) tapestry book for all levels. She shares her techniques in “this in-depth guide to every aspect of the process, from developing a color palette to selecting yarn, warping the loom, and weaving the image.”
I have mentioned Rebecca before so I hope you are already familiar with her. She is well-known for her teaching, both in a thriving online community, and in-person retreats. I can personally attest to her excellence as a teacher. I’m currently enrolled in her Design class! Check out her website and all it has to offer here.
Fall and beyond 2020
Tommye McClure Scanlin: The Nature of Things, Essays of a Tapestry Weaver
I had heard that Tommye McClure Scanlin was also working on a book, so I emailed her to find out more. Tommye actually has 2 books in the works, but (shhhhh!) hasn’t been given the go-ahead from the publisher to say much about them yet. However, the first one is mentioned in the Spring 2020 catalog for the University of North Georgia Press (available for download on their website), so I should be ok to talk a bit about it here.
It's called The Nature of Things: Essays of a Tapestry Weavers. Think visual memoir. In 14 essays, Tommye “reflects on her artistic journey and how crafting and life are interwoven, two threads that comprise a larger picture.” The final part also gives an overview of tapestry basics and resources.
The second one is still in hush mode - she hopes to be able to talk about it by either late summer or early fall.
Check out her website here to learn more about Tommye and see her beautiful tapestries.
Kathe Todd-Hooker: Tapestry, Soumack and Friends
Kathe also has two books in the works. One is a monograph on weaving feathers which she expects to become available before the end of the year and the other one is a further exploration into Soumak and other techniques she uses in her tapestries. It’s called Tapestry, Soumack and Friends. She told me it’s all about the extra techniques that she loves to use and explore in her tapestries. She sees it as a more in depth outgrowth of Line in Tapestry, one of her earlier books (which I highly recommend)!
Kathe is also extremely knowledgeable about tapestry and has written a number of articles for ATA, one of which I reference on my color resources page. Visit Kathe’s website.
One more book I want to mention, but do not have much detail, other than it is a book by the children of Sylvia Heyden on her work. Movement in Tapestry. One more treasure to look forward to! Here’s the only link I could find.
Now isn’t that exciting?
If I had to choose one book, I don’t think I could do it.
I know I couldn’t. That’s why I’ve pre-ordered all that I can already!
How about you?
(oh, and so you know, some of these links are affiliate links and if you click on them and purchase, I might receive a small portion of the sale.)