Many of the objects we use each day were made via the process of weaving, which is an ancient textile art. The clothes on our backs, the blankets we sleep under and the rugs on our floors are just a few of the woven products we use regularly without really stopping to think about how they were made. The truth is that if weaving had never been invented we would still be relying on animal skins to keep us warm.
Weaving started thousands of years ago and still now, the technique has kept much of its original form. Although there are now several tools and modern equipment that can make patterns faster and more evenly, you can still find hand-woven products made from different parts of the globe. You will find that the design will change depending on the source and the creator. Weaving is still very much the same as it was millennia ago.
A richly illustrated look at Andean weaving, which embodies the living history and culture of the Peruvian highlands, this guide extensively catalogs many of the intricate patterns found in traditional Peruvian textiles. Exploring the personal histories of the Quechua people who sustain this tradition, it examines how they weave extraordinary amounts of cloth on simple backstrap looms—just as their forebears have done for thousands of years—to make clothing, rugs, bedcovers, potato sacks, hunting slings, and sacrificial fabrics for both their villages and for interested tourists. How pattern names such as Meandering River or Lake With Flowers relate to the geography and history of the region is also discussed, as is how the traditional natural materials and colors enhance the value of the work.
The Backstrap Loom is based on the Peruvian backstrap loom used for centuries to make distinctive sashes, straps and bands - using the same methods, you can create belts or straps for your roller blades, scooter, guitar, and much more! The Backstrap Kit includes:
Sturdy Hardwood clamp with belt tie
2 yards cotton warp, pre-threaded through a rigid heddle
100% cotton weft yarns in natural colors (hemp, khaki, black, tobacco)
Wooden stick shuttle/shuttle beater
Illustrated instructions for making more projects
Recommended for ages 9 and up
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