The Art of Tapestry Weaving: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Techniques for Making Images with Yarn

Weaving teacher Mezoff surveys contemporary tapestry techniques in her beautiful and expansive debut. Mezoff reminds readers that “there are many combinations of tools and materials you can use to create a tapestry,” and one of her goals for the book is “simplifying those choices so that you can get started.” The author begins by suggesting novices get comfortable making mistakes, before going on to cover everything from yarn terminology to how to choose a loom. The book’s second part teaches crafters how to make tapestries of their own. For Mezoff, “one of the most magical things about tapestry is that the structure of the fabric and the image are created at the same time,” with every tapestry “woven from bottom to top much like a brick wall is formed: each brick supports the ones above it.” Throughout, she uses close-up illustrations and diagrams to explain the more complicated aspects of the craft, such as determining “ whether a weft yarn will work on a particular warp.” Handsome photographs, a glossary of terms, a primer on color theory and design principles, a succinct history of tapestries, and examples of tapestries by artists working in the medium today round things out. Mezoff’s canny and thoughtful guide is sure to inspire crafters of all skill and experience levels. (Nov.)