Fiber Arts Related Links
Some of our favorite links.
Academic
• Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection
University of Wisconsin, Madison. The size and scope of the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, along with its related programs, make it an outstanding resource for scholars, designers, students, and members of the community. The complete collection is documented on an interactive video disc. The 21,000 images are completely cross referenced in an accompanying two-volume index. Copies of the videodisc are available for purchase. For further information, call 608/262-1162.
http://sohe.wisc.edu/depts/hlatc/
• National Basketry Organization, Inc.
A non-profit corporation dedicated to basketry and everyone who appreciates this unique art form, which is both an ancient craft and modern art. Whether you are a basketmaker, a collector, a novice weaver, a studio artist or someone who simply admires baskets, we think you'll find something of interest in these pages. We welcome your interest. We are a member supported organization, and invite you to join us.
http://www.nationalbasketry.org/index.html
• Alternative Crops Homepage
Information regarding alternative crop research, including kenaf for textiles, under study at Mississippi State University.
http://www2.msstate.edu/~bsb2/alternativecrops.html
• Taos Art School
Art Workshops and Art Expeditions in the Heart of the Southwest, Taos, New Mexico. Classes take place in various locations in the Southwest and South America.
http://taosartschool.org
Complete Academic Link Listing
Books (out of print, new, used)
• Carol Todd's Natural Dyeing Homepage
Natural dyeing information, books and workshops. Includes Natural Dye of the Month recipe.
http://www.rainbowlight.org/
• Sewing Books
"A Sewer's Handbook: Tables and Measures", and more.
http://www.sewing-at-home.com/pages/sewershandbook.htm
• Vavstuga Press
Original instructional videos teaching Swedish techniques for dressing looms and drawlooms; English translation and republication of classic Swedish weaving books.
http://www.vavstuga.com/resources/booksvideos.shtml
• Vavstuga Swedish Weaving & Folk Arts - Books
Our Swedish weaving books are full of beautiful pictures and diagrams that are often easy to interpret even if you don't know the language. We offer several Swedish weaving books in English as well.
http://www.vavstuga.com/store/
E-publications (web-based books, mags, articles)
• A Double Weaver's Notebook
Paul O'Conner has made his double weave books available free on-line for browsing or downloading. He has also included two projects suitable for 3-ring binding.
http://www.haven.com/proc/
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
Download the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems.
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html
• Elkhorn Mountain Studios
Joanne Hall discusses weaving techniques, helps solve problems with your weaving and your looms, and describes her studio and design work in Clancy, Montana. Your source for Glimakra looms.
http://www.glimakrausa.com/
• On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics
Repository of weaving books, pamphlets, magazines and reference material, scanned and compiled by the late Ralph Griswold, professor of Computer Science at Arizona State University.
http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/index.html
Complete ePublication LinkListing
Galleries (commercial)
• Adire African Textiles
A gallery established to share our love of the creative works of African textile artists, weavers, dyers, and embroiderers, and to make high quality African textiles accessible worldwide. An extensive bibliography
http://www.adire.clara.net/
• Artwear, a fiber arts gallery and studio
Simple, elegant clothing either made here or by other designers. A great selection of garment patterns, supplies and embellishments for the fiber artist. Fiber ats classes and sewing lessons also offered.
http://www.artweararlington.com
• Cameron Trading Post
Find Navajo rugs, beadwork, baskets, dyecharts, blankets and more.
http://www.camerontradingpost.com/
• Centinela Traditional Arts
A Tapestry Gallery located in Chimayo, New Mexico, specializing in handwoven wool and wool-blend products using natural dyes, custom-dyed yarns, handspun yarns, and the traditional Rio Grande weaving styles.
http://www.chimayoweavers.com/
Complete Gallerie Link Listing
Industrial (manufacturers)
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Australia's CSIRO is an independent statutory authority . Check out the latest innovations in Agribusiness, Textiles, Clothing and Footwear.
http://www.csiro.au/
• The Spinning and Weaving Association (SWA)
A consortium of dealers of weaving and spinning related supplies for both the retail and wholesale markets. The intention is to inform the public about the vitality of the industry, to compile marketing information and publicize events.
http://www.spinweave.org/
• American Textile Manufacturers Institute
Educational materials featuring the U.S. textile industry; its products, processes and its importance to the U.S. economy. Access ATMI program resources as well as standards and technical documents.
http://www.textileweb.com/storefronts/amertextile.html
• Dye Pro Services, Inc.
Custom colour textile dyeing, garment dyeing, and artistry services for almost any fabric type. We are located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and cater to both North American and International clients.
http://www.dyeproservices.com/
Complete Industrial Link Listing
Information (educational, historical articles)
• Craft Design Plans
A series of workshop plans (including spinning wheels and looms) by David Bryant started over 20 years ago in response to requests from woodworkers.
http://www.craftdesigns.co.uk/
• Damask Weavers' Network
The International Damask weavers' Network supports this site as a source for information about exhibits, current trends, equipment and other aspects of damask and related weaving techniques. Past issues of the newsletters are available.
http://home.hccnet.nl/j.diepenbroek/
• Descendants of the Incas
This site is brought to you by the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, Peru, a special project of Cultural Survival, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Nilda Callañaupa living in Cusco, Peru serving as Project Coordinator. Numerous photos of the local weaving culture, as well as textiles.
http://www.incas.org/
• Leclerc Looms
Leclerc Looms produces several of the most commonly owned loom models in North America. The recently developed WeaveBird, a 24 shaft computerized loom, has gained high praise from weavers. A new weaving patttern is offered every other month, and two complete books of weaving basics are available free for download.
http://www.leclerclooms.com/
Complete Information Link Listing
Links (Lists of links)
• Ron's List of Fiber-Related Lists
Ron Parker has compiled a mighty list of sites related to textiles.
http://hem.bredband.net/ronpar/ListOfLists.html
• Ruthe's Collection of Weaving Resources
The best place to start your search for anything weaving related!! A website which has been a long time labour of love.
http://www.weavingworld.ca/weave.htm
• Charitable Crafters
Charitable Crafters is a Duluth, MN based non profit group that seeks to inspire those that knit, sew, crochet, spin, weave, and quilt to make items for charitable donation.
http://www.charitablecrafters.org/index.html
• Cyber Goats
A site about goats for goat fans. Links to hair and fleece goat producers, among many others.
http://www.cybergoat.com/links/fiber_goat.shtml
Museums (collections, exhibits, information)
• African Crafts Online
Products by many African artisans, books, CDs and free instructions for making simple African looms. Contributions are welcome!
http://www.africancrafts.com/
• American Handweaving Museum and Thousand Islands Craft School
The museum specializes in 20th century North American handwoven fabrics. It contains weaving samples, coverlets, study notebooks, tools and looms. Weavers are encouraged to use the extensive resources from the collections. Classes in fiber arts are offered throughout the year, beads, books and items are available in the gift store.
http://www.hm-ac.org/
• American Textile Museum
Lowell, Massachusetts, adjacent to Lowell's National Historical park. The collection includes thousands of books, manuscripts and images, millions of textile samples and hundreds of textile-making machines. Purchase a weaving based on authentic designs.
http://www.athm.org/home_framemiddle2.htm
• Fashion Institute of Technology
The Gallery, Case Sudies, Student Showcase and other areas of the site are informative and always changing. Be sure to visit the permanent exhibit: Fashion and Textile History Gallery.
http://www.fitnyc.edu/html/dynamic.html
Organizations
• Adopt-A-Native Elder Program (Navajo weavers)
A non-profit organization which enables elder Navajo (Dine') to live in the traditional manner. Financed through yarn donations, an on-line rug gallery and annual Rug Show and Sale. POB 3401, Park City, UT 84060 Phone: (435) 649-0535 e-mail: mail@anelder.org
http://www.anelder.org/
• afghans for Afghans
afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that is sending hand-knit and crocheted blankets to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan.
http://www.afghansforAfghans.org/
• American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect over 150 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. Included are asses, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. Founded in 1977, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is the pioneer organization in the U.S. working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in livestock.
http://www.albc-usa.org/
• Arizona Federation of Weavers and Spinners Guilds, Inc.
The Arizona Federation represents guilds from all over Arizona, and sponsors a biennial conference of fiber arts in even-numbered years. Newsletters subscriptions are available.
http://www.azfed.org/
Complete Organization Link Listing
Patterns/Instructions
• Free Patterns from Yarn Lover's Room
Find or share crochet, knitting, etc. patterns for personal use.
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/pattern.html
• Kathryn's Favorite Free Knitting Patterns
Find free knitting patterns for beginners and pros alike. Each pattern is easy enough for beginners but contains variations for every level of knitter. Also find book reviews, articles, links to yarn and other supplies, and off-line and online bookstores.
http://favorite-free-knitting-patterns.com/
• Knit-to-Pray
Many people use our traditional knitting as a means to quiet their minds, of nourishing their inner being, for releasing their creative energy, for peaceful reflection, and for prayer. Trinity Shawls have beautiful patterns for you to knit in Prayer for Prayer!
http://www.trinityshawls.com/
• prom dress gown
prom dress gown you will be the super star when wear our dresses.
http://www.promdressgown.com/
Personal Pages and Blogs
• Textile Travels
Visit Burma, Thailand, the Philipines, and Cambodia through the Travlin' Weaver Kathleen Johnson's informative essays, slide shows and other documentation.
http://www.travlinweaver.com/entersite.html
• Weaverly
Alice Schlein's blog about her experiences at AVL in Chico, teaching a class on Photoshop Design for the Jacquard loom
http://weaverly.typepad.com/weaverly/
• Weaving a Life
"Weaving a Life" - writings about weaving, peace, sustainability and life. Terri writes about the endless possibilities with Saori weaving as she explores it through her own weaving as well as workshops.
Terri has facilitated the weaving of peace banners created by over 500 people.
http://www.saltspringweaving.com/blog
• brenahearn.com
Bren's explorations in various aspects of weaving.
http://www.brenahearn.com/
Complete Personal Link Listing
Publications (print mags, periodicals)
• Selvedge
Selvedge... offers the world's finest textile photography, unparalleled design and peerless writing
Open a copy of Selvedge and you sense there is a philosophy that Selvedge readers subscribe to. A belief system based on a cerebral and sensual addiction to textiles in all forms. Readers share a belief in the importance of their material surroundings and a passion for the beautiful and beautifully made.
Our aim is simple: to provide a textile publication which fits seamlessly into their creative lifestyle. Directed towards an international, discerning audience, Selvedge covers fine textiles in every context: fine art, interiors, fashion, travel and shopping.
http://www.selvedge.org/
• Collins Publications
Specializing in how to books for sewing for profit and self-publishing, plus Back Issues of The “Business” Of Sewing Newsletter.
http://www.collinspub.com/sewing%20for%20profit1.html
• Caryll Designs
Spinning fibers, yarns and patterns, books and more.
http://www.carylldesigns.com/
• cre8ng.com
Develop your creativity with exercises, articles and ideas.
http://www.cre8ng.com/
Reference (dictionaries, tables, product care)
• Bill Koepp's Weaving Stuff
Bill's been building weaving aids for years. Here you'll find many of his ideas, clearly documented.
http://www.geocities.com/bgkoe/
• Federal Trade Commission (US) Textile Care Information
Labeling and precautionary advice for all textiles.
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/textilejump.htm
• Bashkir Curly Horse information
Learn about the Bashkir Curly Horse. The naturally curly coat, including the soft mane and tail, shed out each spring.
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/
• Dictionaries of Textile Terms
Scroll down to Textiles for many dictionaries, glossaries and vocabularies.
http://www.yourdictionary.com/diction5a.html#textiles
Complete Reference Link Listing
Schools (universities, trade schools, vocational, technical)
• Weaving & Natural Dyeing Workshops in Oaxaca, Mexico
4-day weaving workshops with master weavers, father and son, Federico Chavez Sosa and Eric Chavez Santiago, who work exclusively in natural dyes. We are committed to sustainable development, preserving the cultural traditions of ancient Zapotec weavers of Teotitlan del Valle, and fair trade. This is not a tour; it is 22 hours of individualized instruction at your own loom, natural dye demonstrations, all materials, a resource notebook. Contact normahawthorne@mac.com for 2008 dates.
http://oaxacaculture.com/
• Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
Arrowmont School is an internationally known visual arts complex located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In addition to its well known spring and summer one- and two- week workshops, Arrowmont sponsors and co-sponsors art related conferences and workshops throughout the year.
http://www.arrowmont.org/
• Coupeville Arts Center
The Coupeville Arts Center is the premier organization of its type in the Pacific Northwest and offers a full slate of classes and workshops in the arts.
http://www.coupevillearts.org/
• Endless Possibilities
Come Learn to Weave!
We supply all the material and teach you how to weave! There is no charge and all the items created are sold in our store. All proceeds support the Outer Banks Hotline Crisis Intervention and Prevention Center. Shop online for handwoven bags, boas, rugs, scarves, table mats and more.
http://www.ragweavers.com/our-store.html
Software
• Arahne Cad/Cam Software for Weaving
A software company, specialized in developing CAD/CAM systems for weaving. ArahWeave is a Linux based program, Windows compatible. Free demo available.
http://www.arahne.si/
• Cochenille Design Studio
Cochenille's software for Craftspeople and Textile Artists is sophisticated, yet easy to use. Knitting softweare, Stitch Painter, Garment Styler, Stitch Editor. Free fashion newsletter.
http://www.cochenille.com
• CFA ProWeave
Cameron Fibre Arts, producers of textile design and loom control software for hand loom weavers with computers - both P.C.(Windows) and Macintosh. Check out the Patterns, FAQs and Design tips.
http://www.proweave.com/
• Fiberworks PCW, software for weavers
Visit our web site, and see the new PCW4 programs, browse the gallery and much more.
http://www.fiberworks-pcw.com
Complete Software Link Listing
Supplies, Material Sources, Equipment
• AB Gunnar Andersson Looms
Andersson and Glimakra looms, plus hundreds of weaving tools and accessories.
http://www.vavsked.se/English/indexen.htm
• Ashford Spinning Wheel Company
New Zealand manufacturer of numerous models of spinning wheels and accessories. An online equipment catalog, Helpline and subscription form for a yearly newsletter. Visitors to the showroom, factory, and craft village are welcome.
http://www.ashford.co.nz
• BEKA, Inc. Hand Made Wood Products
BEKA has been making rigid heddle looms, weaving frames, and weaving accessories since 1973.
http://www.bekainc.com/index.html
• Bluster Bay Woodworks
Terry Lavallee
804 Airport Way
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-263-4600
BlusterBay@gmail.com
Bluster Bay Woodworks produces exquisite weaving shuttles and yarn swifts, handmade from an assortment of beautiful hardwoods. Each item is hand-buffed, resulting in tools that are silky smooth. Each has a luster and warmth, and is a delight to the touch.
http://www.blusterbaywoodworks.com/
Complete Supplies Link Listing
Studios (commercial weavers)
• Marketplace
MarketPlace is a leading textile Fair Trade non-profit organization that provides access to global markets for low-income Indian women by using design to bridge the gap between skills and markets. This season the Artisans chose to explore the concept of Beauty. What is beauty? Who gets to decide? And why do we care?
http://www.marketplaceindia.org/mp33/default.asp
• Aurora Artisanal Handwovens
Beautiful handwoven scarves and shawls made from alpaca, mercerized cotton, mohair, merino wool, and other fibers. Handspun handwovens are also available. Other types of items such as purses, bags and table linens will be added in the future.
http://www.auroraartisanalhandwovens.com/
• Tapestries by Sarah Swett
In tapestry, the image is the fabric-- without the former, the latter is merely a pile of yarn. The artist, then, creates order; she tells stories, builds images and captures moments in time in cloth even as they unfold. Tapestry infiltrates my dreams, builds my biceps, thrills me to the bone and drives me to tears. When I was seven I turned scraps of yarn into a magic carpet. I am still at it.
http://www.sarah-swett.com
• Bergdala Spinnhus
Kerstin Fröberg makes clothing, accessories, home furnishings and academic dress in Sweden, but sometimes she just plays. Horsehair weaving workshops are a specialty.
http://www.bergdalaspinnhus.com/index_eng.html
Tours
• Mano-de-Oaxaca
A Web site offering an intimate glimpse into the world of the potters and weavers of Oaxaca and a delectable menu of hands-in-the-mud workshops and backcactus tours into the land of Oaxaca's great artisans.
http://www.manos-de-oaxaca.com
• Art Workshops in Guatemala
Art Workshops in Guatemala strives to provide a new and renewing experience for creative souls. Through contact with a world so different from our own we expand our horizons - not only artistically - but also in many other ways.
http://www.artguat.org
• Dalton Textile Tours
Dalton Textile Tours was founded by Pat Dalton to share with other needlework enthusiasts the beauty of textiles produced in Asia. Tours visit locations focusing on embroidery; including visits to artists at work, museums, silk producers, and touring the National Embroidery Research Institute in Suzhou. While the focus is on textile arts in China and Hong Kong, groups also visit historical monuments and sites. Garments purchased in China are also available via the website.
http://daltontours.com
• PUCHKA Peru, Bolivia Argentina
22 day cultural and textile tours including workshops with spinners, weavers, knitters and more. Includes a visit to Machu Picchu. Oct 12 - Nov 2,2007. We are also touring April 18 - May 9, 2008 and October 2 - Oct. 23, 2008. Please check our website for details.
http://www.puchkaperu.com/