Those of you interested in herbs both culinary, medicinal and just plain useful might like to visit www.abouthyme.com which is the home of the fictional China Bayles mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert.

The books feature the eponymous China Bayles who quit her law practice to run a herbal garden and gift store and who with her flamboyant, crystal gazing and occasionally clairvoyant friend Ruby solves local murders and mysteries. Sounds a bit famous five I know but they are well written, interesting and entertaining books, each one focusing on a particular herbal theme and usually containing a few interesting herbal recipes and folklore and sometimes a few spinning and dyeing themes. However you don't have to read the books to appreciate the web site. There's a good lot of culinary and medicinal recipes, growing hints and every so often something for spinners and weavers such as the following:

Continue reading "To Dye For" »

Posted by Prue Hill at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don Wagner has a weaving book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: Pattern and Loom: A Practical Study of the Development of Weaving Techniques in China, Western Asia, and Europe by John Becker.

First published in 1986.

Pattern and Loom: A Practical Study of the Development of Weaving Techniques in China, Western Asia, and Europe by John Becker — Publications by Don Wagner

Posted by Red Wolf at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn by Judith MacKenzie McCuin was recently reviewed by Jenny Hopper.

Continue reading "The Intentional Spinner: October Book Review" »

Posted by Prue Hill at 5:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Gutenberg has a new book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Alice Morse Earle.

Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Alice Morse Earle — Project Gutenberg

Posted by Red Wolf at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Gutenberg has a new book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: The Tapestry Book by Helen Churchill Candee.

First published in 1912 by Frederick A Stokes Company.

The commercial fact that tapestries have immeasurably increased in value within the last five years, would have little interest were it not that this increase is the direct result of America's awakened appreciation of this form of art. It has come about in these latter days that tapestries are considered a necessity in the luxurious and elegant homes which are multiplying all over our land. And the enormous demand thus made on the supply, has sent the prices for rare bits into a dizzy altitude, and has made even the less perfect pieces seem scarce and desirable.

The Tapestry Book by Helen Churchill Candee — Project Gutenberg

Posted by Red Wolf at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Gutenberg has a new book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: Chats on Old Lace and Needlework by Emily Leigh Lowes.

First published in 1908 by T Fisher Unwin, Ltd, Adelphi Terrace, London. This little book has been compiled to emphasise and accentuate the distinct awakening of English women and Needlecraft Artists to the beauty of the ancient laces and embroideries which we own in the magnificent historic collections in our great public Museums.

Chats on Old Lace and Needlework by Emily Leigh Lowes — Project Gutenberg

Posted by Red Wolf at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Gutenberg has a new book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet by Anonymous.

First published in 1918 by Needlecraft Publishing Company, Augusta, Maine.

Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet by Anonymous — Project Gutenberg

Posted by Red Wolf at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Gutenberg has a new book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: The Bath Tatting Book by PP.

First published in 1865 by Emily Faithfull, Printer and Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.

The Bath Tatting Book by PP — Project Gutenberg

Posted by Red Wolf at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The University of Wisconsin has a digital collection of books available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members.

This digital collection includes millinery, dressmaking, clothing and costume books from the UW-Madison collections. These books from the first half of the 20th century (1907 - 1940's) include the history of clothing, styles of dress, fashion drawing, and design and construction of hats, clothing and costumes. Items in this collection will appeal to vintage clothing collectors, those studying costume design, fashion, and women's history, and those who just enjoy reminiscing about days gone by.

All Sewn Up: Millinery, Dressmaking, Clothing and Costume — University of Wisconsin Digital Collection

Posted by Red Wolf at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Project Gutenberg has a new book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: Vegetable Dyes by Ethel M Mairet.

First published in 1916 by Douglas Pepler at the Hampshire House Workshops. Being a book of recipes and other information useful to the dyer.

Vegetable Dyes by Ethel M Mairet — Project Gutenberg

Posted by Red Wolf at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The National Library of Australia has entered into a contract with Apex publishing to support a major newspaper digitisation program which will commence later this year. The Library will use Apex's services to build a database covering the period 1803 to 1954 using one major newspaper from each state and territory. The Library expects to offer, from early 2008, a new online service to enable full text searching of these newspapers free of charge. The Library will initially populate this service with the 19th century portions of newspapers such as the Sydney Gazette, The Argus, The Courier Mail and other newspapers from Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.

For further information go to: www.nla.gov.au/pressrel

Posted by Red Wolf at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DVD Extras contains a small documentary on fibre arts.

I'd recommend the film - I enjoyed it a lot! While checking out the Special Features - Mini Documentaries made by the local aboriginal teens in the area where the film was set, I found Arnhem Weaving. This was a short and unconventional documentary showing the method of collecting, processing, spinning and then weaving the fibre.

Continue reading "Ten Canoes DVD" »

Posted by Red Wolf at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Gutenberg has a new book available for free download that may be of interest to Guild members: Make Your Own Hats by Gene Allen Martin.

Make Your Own Hats by Gene Allen Martin — Project Gutenberg (via Feòrag NicBhrìde)

Posted by Red Wolf at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Woven Shibori by Catharine Ellis was recently reviewed by Prue Hill.

Continue reading "Woven Shibori: November Book Review" »

Posted by Red Wolf at 4:15 PM | Permalink

According to the Needlecraft Book Service, which is a mail order company specialising in craft books Handwoven Laces by Donna Muller is back in print. Their blurb reads: Pretty lace weaves have been polular for both fine linens of all kinds and for art weaving.

Donna starts with basic interlacements to show how unrelated structures can be developed in a logical way to give you the power to design with confidence. In-depth chapters explain how to use traditional pattterns (spot lace/Bronson, Swedish lace, basket/canvas weave, 4-shaft/multi shaft huck) or create new ones. Charts and colour photos aid identification and understanding. Save $15 with Member's Price of $19.95.

The catalogue also offers Knitting with Wire by Nancie Wiseman, The Art of Fair Isle Knitting by Ann Feitelson, Handmade Silk Paper by Kath Russon and many more.

Telephone 03 9596 8743 or email info@bookservices.com.au for a catalogue.

Posted by Red Wolf at 9:59 AM | Permalink

There's a new magazine out from Interweave Press — Knitscene

Knitscene — Interweave Press (via knitting in public)

Posted by Red Wolf at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shadow Knitting by Vivian Høxbro is a new addition to the Guild library.

Shadow Knitting, aka hidden or optical knitting is a simple but effective technique for creating a raised pattern in your knitting using a combination of garter and stockinette stitches and light and dark coloured yarns. The secret design is revealed when you look at the knitted fabric from different angles. Vivian says that the technique creates more subtle patterning than say Fair Isle or Intarsia. She was inspired by a Japanese knit.

Continue reading "Shadow Knitting: September Book Review" »

Posted by Red Wolf at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

YARN Magazine is a quarterly print magazine with a difference: intelligent, well-written articles, original patterns and a sense of humour threaded through. It is available via subscription, Australian yarn stores and in newsagents nationwide. The magazine's web site features a free 24-page sample issue.

...it's a magazine! — YARNblog — (via knitting in public)

Posted by Red Wolf at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There is a write-up on the Guild in the Spring issue of Creative Knitting Magazine. It hits the shelves 31 August.

Anthea Stewart

Posted by Red Wolf at 3:48 PM | Permalink

Handspun Revolution takes a new look at an old craft. It presents handspinning as a highly creative, artistic endeavour.

Handspun Revolution is a simply written how-to book for very unusual handspun yarns. Addressing a growing movement of cutting edge spinners, this book discusses the role of creative thinking in the craft of handspinning. This book is purpousfully spartan. Volumes have already been written on the nuts and bolts of spinning. Handspun Revolution covers only the very essential topics of spinning, and these are discussed frankly, casually and often in the format of tips and notes. The driving message of the book is the liberation of ones preconceived notions of what a yarn is. It tries to teach the reader to break the rules they've learned and push their own personal boundaries in spinning. Seventeen original, never before published techniques are covered with easy instructions and beautiful color pictures.

Price is US$48, including postage to Australia.

Handspun Revolution — Pluckyfluff (via knitting in public)

Posted by Red Wolf at 6:10 PM | Permalink

The borrowing fee has been dropped back to 20 cents per book per month. We hope this encourages more members to take advantage of our library. The sting in the tail (tale) is that overdue fees will be $1 per book per month to encourage you to come back and borrow more books or to let the librarian know that you want to extend your loan period another month.

Continue reading "Library Report" »

Posted by Red Wolf at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi everybody, as you may know by now, I have agreed to take on the role of Librarian with Pat staying on as helper.

I would like to remind you that the Guild subscribes to a large number of magazines — Spin Off, Knitters, Threads, Handwoven, Vav and Piecework — to name just some of them. We also subscribe to the Textile Fibre Forum magazine, published by TAFTA, The Australian Forum for Textile Arts, which is always full of colour, inspiration and information regarding anything textile.

Please come up on a Thursday between 12.00pm and 4.00pm, to have a browse and borrow.

See you soon.

Brigitte Seiber

Posted by Red Wolf at 4:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are several magazines and books missing from the library so if you are doing any late spring cleaning during the holidays and you happen to find any of these items we would welcome their return with an amnesty on fines in the new year.

We have bought a new paperback book called Shibori: The Art of Fabric Tying, Folding, Pleating and Dyeing by Elfriede Moller. It combines silk dyeing techniques with shibori and has clear instructions and plenty of photographs.

Brigitte, Myree and I wish you a happy New Year.

Patricia Buick

Posted by Red Wolf at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When Gina Sirabella proposed a book club devoted to books with a textile theme I was a bit dubious that we would find many. How wrong I have been! Book Club with a Twist has now been in existence since August and so far we have argued / queried / discussed both online and over coffee the following books, with an ever-increasing list for the future:

Tracy Chevalier: Lady and the Unicorn
Mary Webb: Precious Bane
Dai Sijie: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Margaret Atwood: Alias Grace
Kate Grenville: The Idea of Perfection

And coming up:
January 2004: The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
February 2004: The Carpet Wars by Christopher Kremmer

Continue reading "Book Club with a Twist" »

Posted by Red Wolf at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don't forget to look at the newsletters, which we receive from local textile organisations, and also from America and New Zealand. They have news of exhibitions, book reviews and Creative Fibre, which is from the New Zealand Spinning, Weaving and Woolcrafts Society, has interesting colour photos of work as well.

I was surprised to see the Tasmanian Guild welcoming a whole page of new members, perhaps they had an open day as well!

We bought five new books from Anne Miller on Open Day: Domino Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro, An Australian Afghan by the Kurringai Branch of the Knitters Guild.

Color Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color by Deb Menz, Men in Knits: Sweaters to Knit That He Will Wear by Tara Jon Manning, also The Best of Weaver's: Thick 'n Thin by Madelyn Van Der Hoogt.

We will have lots of second-hand books and magazines for sale. If you are unsure how much it is to borrow a book after all our changes, it is now 30 cents per book per month — Patricia Buick

Posted by Red Wolf at 10:00 AM | Permalink

It was at a love-spinning that I saw Kester first... if those that mayhappen will read this don't know what a love-spinning was, they shall hear in good time.

The introduction to Precious Bane by Mary Webb tells us that our Book Club With A Twist book will be rather interesting this month! And before long the Shropshire dialect was hardly noticeable (Dunna drink while she's by. It'll p'ison yer innards.).

The story is told through the eyes of Prudence Sarn (with the hare-shotten lip which is considered by her superstitious neighbours as the sign of the devil!) in the years after the Battle of Waterloo. A rural novel in the English romantic tradition, in which Prue is transported from her hard life to find happiness with a man who sees beyond her physical appearance — Kester Woodseaves, the weaver.

As for the love-spinning... you'll have to read the book!

If you'd like to join the online group or meet with us each month to discuss these books (all with some reference to textiles), please e-mail me at restituta@optusnet.com.au. Country members are encouraged to join the online group... our next book is Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie — via Gina Sirabella

Posted by Red Wolf at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier.

Two families, two cities, one rogue go-between, and a set of gorgeous tapestries, all in a late medieval setting!

On the 1 August, a group gathered at the round table in the QVB Tea Rooms to launch the Book Club With A Twist (more about the twist later). The Tea Rooms were a pleasant surprise — and what an amazing space, very tall and beautifully understated. The QVB was once the home of the City of Sydney library before the madness of the push to tear the building down. Luckily that madness was overlooked and we have a most wonderful setting to enjoy.

Continue reading "Book Club with a Twist: August Book Review" »

Posted by Red Wolf at 10:57 AM | Permalink