Janet Phillips

textile designer, hand weaver, weaving tutor
 


Natural Time Out Publications

DESIGNING WOVEN FABRICS
a new book by JANET PHILLIPS
£31.95 (plus post and packaging)
Published March 2008
Click here for Order form for cheque payments

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Click on any of the images to view as a pdf document

Designing Woven Fabrics describes and illustrates Janet's method of designing functional woven fabrics based on the 2/2 Twill weave structure. It addresses the questions that students most commonly ask of her:

  • How do you design fabrics?
  • Where do you get your ideas from?
  • How do you choose colour combinations?
  • What can I do with the yarn in my store cupboard?

The book, generously illustrated with over 200 colour photographs and over 100 weave diagrams is divided into three distinct parts.

Part 1 covers the construction and weaving of a Multiple-sectioned Sample Blanket developing the 2/2 Twill weave structure.

Part 2 describes the principal design criteria available, such as colour, yarn and sett, to enable a weave structure to be developed into an attractive cloth.

Part 3 details 50 original designs using weaves from the Multiple-sectioned Sample Blanket and applying the design criteria to them.

'Designing Woven Fabrics' is aimed at weavers who are already comfortable about making warps, dressing looms and weaving in general, but who now want to design and weave original fabrics.


INDEPENDENT REVIEWS OF – DESIGNING WOVEN FABRICS by Janet Phillips
Natural Time Out Publications www.janetphillips-weaving.co.uk

BEATRIJS STERK - TEXTILE FORUM 4/2008

“The author of this book, a designer of hand-woven fabrics of more than 30 years’ standing and a freelance lecturer, proceeds like a good instructor of a weaving class. Part one of this book presents the many variations possible in a 2/2 twill, woven by means of 4 shafts in the form of a blanket to produce numerous weaving patterns. Limitation to a simple basic weave allows beginners to follow the text explanations more easily. In part two of her book, the author describes how to use design elements, such as colour, yarns and threading and lifting of the warp threads, to make a particular weaving structure into a beautiful fabric with a good drape. Part three expands upon this approach with 50 examples developed from these weaving patterns. Janet Phillips would like nothing better that for readers to begin experimenting themselves.”

“The book is presented as a practical guide, and the author’s clever direction makes it a particularly successful example of it genre, highly recommended to weavers unable to devote years to a course at college.”

ROBYN SPADY - HANDWOVEN MAGAZINE (Interweave Press) – December 2008

“There are few weave structures as versatile as four-shaft twill. Janet Phillips makes this structure the basis for her book.

“The third section is perhaps the best section of the book. It includes instructions for fifty actual projects – beautiful fabrics that illustrate the design concepts presented earlier in the book. These simple twills combined with a variety of yarns and setts will provide any weaver with an unlimited number of design ideas to use for years to come.”

URSULA STEHLE – Brisbane, Australia – December 2008

“Janet Phillips’ book is truly an inspiration for weavers and an absolute joy. It is made for any weaver from beginners to advance. ..… The second part takes you into a secure way of designing your own weaving. There are lots of great help ideas.”

“A must for every weaver’s bookshelf! Thanks Janet for creating something so beautiful.”

KATHERINE LOOPER - www.weavezine.com - September 2008

“Designing Woven Fabrics is for the beginner to intermediate weaver who wants to explore four-shaft weave structure in depth and who wants to experiment with texture, colour and sample different yarns.”

“The final 15 projects include using different fibres and weaves to create collapse, pleated, textured and crunchy cloths. On its own the last section is well worth the price of the whole book.”

“I really love this book. It is a good read and each project is incredibly beautiful and reflective of the author’s talent and knowledge. … I especially appreciate the computer draw downs of the threadings and treadlings which make it very simple to understand.”

KAZ MADIGAN - http://curiousweaver.id.au/ - March 2008

“This is an exceptional book that contains information about textile design and weaving techniques, some of which were new to me.” ….. “The sample blanket creates a reference for the weaver or more accurately the base recipe that you can adjust to your own flavour. The author has written it with a generosity and warmth that will appeal to new weavers as well as delight hardened ones like me!”

DOROTHY LUMB
http://fibre2fabric.blogspot.com/2008/03/designing-woven-fabrics.html - March - June 2008

“……… This is the book, which is going to be by my side as I move from exploring weave structures to designing fabrics. It’s based not just on Janet’s knowledge of weaving, but also her knowledge from many years of teaching hand weaving. She explains things in her own way and is very thorough and careful in her writing. She doesn’t talk down to the reader, nor does she assume any more than a basic ability to warp up and weave and four shafts to play with.”


Natural Time Out Publications

DESIGNING WOVEN FABRICS
a new book by JANET PHILLIPS
£31.95 (plus post and packaging)
Published March 2008
Click here for Order form for cheque payments

Click the buttons below for PayPal account holders, credit or debit card payments:-

UK
Europe
Rest of World

You can contact me by emailing: janetphillips@clara.co.uk