Weaving Textiles That Shape Themselves

Weaving Textiles that Shaped Themselves sounds like a contradiction in terms, but this book sets to show how textiles can do precisely that: shape themselves. Weaving with high-twist yarns and contrasting materials can create fabrics with lively textures and elastic properties. Although these fabrics are flat on the loom, they are transformed by washing water releases the energy of the different yarns and the fabrics ‘organize themselves’ into crinkled or pleated textures. This exciting book written by a distinguished weaver and lecturer, explains the processes and potential of this approach. With inspirational pieces, practical know-how and advice about building on experience, it gives a broad introduction to designing with high twist yarns. Techniques range from plain weave to more complex structures, so the book offers ideas for both beginners and experienced weavers. Yarns twists and weaves can also be varied across the fabric, so that rectangular pieces completely change their shape when washed. ‘Loom-to-body’ clothing, needing minimum cutting and sewing, can emerge from a simple change of yarn structure. These textiles can truly shape themselves. AUTHOR: Ann Richards trained and worked as a biologist, before going on to study woven textiles at West Surrey College of Art & Design where she later worked as a lecturer. Her background in biology has strongly influenced her textile work, which often draws on form and function in nature. Her work has been exhibited widely, both in the UK and abroad. In 1989 she won First Prize (MITI Award) at the 4th International Textile Design Contest in Tokyo. Over the past twenty years she has lectured and given workshops in the UK and elsewhere, including Europe, Canada and the USA. SELLING POINTS: An inspirational and exciting book that explains the processes and potential of weaving high-twist yarns into fabrics that are transformed by washing: just add water textiles that shape themselves! Techniques range from plain weave to more complex structures the book offers ideas for beginners and experienced weavers, dyers and feltmakers ILLUSTRATIONS: 177 colour photographs

Author Biography

Ann Richards trained and worked as a biologist, before going on to study woven textiles at West Surrey College of Art & Design where she later worked as a lecturer. Her background in biology has strongly influenced her textile work, which often draws on form and function in nature. Her work has been exhibited widely, both in the UK and abroad. In 1989 she won First Prize (MITI Award) at the 4th International Textile Design Contest in Tokyo. Over the past twenty years she has lectured and given workshops in the UK and elsewhere, including Europe, Canada and the USA.