A vey well written, readable and interesting book for those who are drawn to this type of craft. A lot of thorough research into the history of spinning and weaving through the ages, from ancient times up to and including details of how the 20C wars affected burgeoning mechanical textile industry and the latest mechanised processing of fleeces. This really is an introduction to the history of the craft, and for anyone who wishes to investigate methods in greater depth this is an excellent starting place.

The second half of the book contains interviews with artisans and is lavishly illustrated with beautiful photographs of their work.

At the end of the book are very useful lists of supplies, websites, books and courses, which, as a spinner myself, is likely to prove invaluable for progressing my skills.

Tastes Through Time website

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Having just taken up spinning I found this book fascinating. It gives a great background in to the ancient history of spinning and weaving.

NetGalley, Jan Brown

Spinning and Weaving is an excellent edition for the crafter's library. Part history lesson focusing on the UK, part reflection onwomen's personal experience in weaving and handicrafts.

Enjoyable read. 4 out of 5 stars.

NetGalley, Lizbeth DeValkenaere

Such an interesting trip through not only the history of spinning and weaving, but also through the minds of many modern day spinners and weavers (there’s a chapter of artisan interviews that is awesome. A great gift for someone who likes to know how techniques and trends developed.

NetGalley, Jennifer Houle

As featured by

Lets Knit, December 2019

What pleased me most in the reading of this book was the realisation that, perhaps, in a way, things have come full circle. Yes, we live in a very commercialised world but it is also a world full of opportunities. We still have machines producing millions of yards of cloth every year, but we also have people like you and me, who have chosen to take up our wheels and looms in pursuit of authenticity, quality and satisfaction in our work. And thankfully, more and more all the time, we have an audience who appreciate what we do and who also desire quality, slow and beautifully made unique garments and pieces.

The book finishes off with some inspiring interviews with fibre artists (I noticed there was even an Australian included!)

I feel so blessed to be a part of something that many of our ancestors (my ancestors were English) earned their living by and now, we have the luxury of choosing to do. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to practice these crafts and pass them on to the next generation.

Read the full review here

Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I have recently become interested in spinning and weaving. This book wasn’t quite what I thought it was, but when I began reading I became captivated by the history associated with spinning and weaving which is so closely related to the history of women.

Further into the book, the author includes interviews with artisan spinners, weavers and wool crafters which was fascinating and inspiring. I finished the book and went through to follow the crafters mentioned on social media and to look up their courses. I am now even more keen to learn how to spin and weave and have booked myself on my first course.

See the full review here

Amazon Customer, Jayne

As a fiber artist myself, I could not help but be pulled in and feel a part of the continuing narrative of working wool with my hands. I truly am hopeful that, along with the work of the artisans included in this treatise and the work I do and the many weavers and spinners I have connections with, weaving and spinning will continue as a craft and skill stretching as far into the future as it has done in the past.

Read the full review here

My Life is but a Tapestry

This latest title in Pen and Sword's Heritage and Crafting Skills series looks at spinnig and weaving. Beautifully written and illustrated.

Books Monthly

As featured on Iowa Weaver

Iowa Weaver, Susan Poague

This book looked at spinning and weaving throughout history and as a modern handcraft. The author started by explaining what type of tools were used for spinning and weaving in ancient times and what fibers were used for clothing. She then talked about the new technologies that changed how spinning and weaving were done up until modern day. The second half of the book contained interviews with modern weavers who talk about how they got into traditional weaving, what they make, what tools they use, how they learned the skills, their advice to others, what their business is like, and a typical day. At the back of the book, there were lists of suppliers and educational websites. I'd recommend this book to someone interested in trying out weaving who wants some background on the possibilities for learning and using the skill.

NetGalley, Deborah White

This is a good, accessible, clearly written introduction to spinning and weaving.

NetGalley, Annie Buchanan

As a spinner and weaver I found the content interesting.

NetGalley, Rose Grey

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As a knitter and history major, I found this book fascinating. The first half of the book gives a quick and interesting view of the British textile industry. As an American, this covered a lot of history I didn't know but found quite interesting. This book champions the cause of supporting "heritage crafts," and the history lessons support this cause by showing how textile production drove a number of social and cultural trends throughout British history.

The second half of the book features the personal, firsthand stories of women who have taken up the heritage crafts of wool production, spinning, and weaving. The pictures of life in rural Britain wonderfully show how different this life is from American suburbia. This book made me want to visit the UK soon!

NetGalley, Cindy Coe

From prehistory to the modern day, showing how little that crafts have changed.

Bookseller Buyers Guide