Weaving Iridescence

Weaving Iridescence: Color Play for the Handweaver

Author: Bobbie Irwin

Bobbie Irwin has been teaching techniques for weaving iridescence for more than ten years. In this book, she delivers her most comprehensive course yet, from how to choose yarn to the ways weave structure affects iridescence to the best uses for your iridescent fabric. Seven hands-on projects have you exploring what you've learned right away.

Iridescent fabric shimmers and glows, changing colors depending on how the light hits it. Different colors appear in the folds and pleats, adding surprising layers of color to fabric. To the uninformed it appears magical and difficult, but the truth is that weaving iridescent fabric is accessible to any handweaver who knows the tricks.

Bobbie Irwin has been teaching the techniques for weaving iridescence in person and through articles for more than ten years. In this book, she delivers her most comprehensive course yet, covering the details from how to evaluate and choose yarn to achieve your desired effect to the ways weave structure affects iridescence to the best uses for your iridescent fabric. Hands-on project instructions will have you exploring what you've learned right away. She has written many articles for Handwoven magazine and is the author of three books: Twist and Twine, The Spinner's Companion, and Twined Rag Rugs. She resides in Montrose, Colorado.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is Iridescence?

• Natural Iridescence
• Iridescence in Fabric

Chapter 2: Understanding Optics and Color

• The Nature of Light
• How We See
• Understanding Color
• Color Systems

Chapter 3: Exploring Common Beliefs about Iridescence

• Choosing Colors
• Complementary Colors
• Split Complements, Triads, and Tetrads
• Analogous Colors
• Color Saturation
• Value
• Crossing Solid Colors
• Luster
• Fiber Choice
• Thread Size
• What About Plain Weave?
• Balanced Weaves

Chapter 4: Additional Color Considerations

• Dealing with High-Contrast Values
• The Ultimate Value Contrast
• Color Mixing
• Working with Multiple Colors
• Other Multiple-Color Options
• Warp vs. Weft—Does it Matter?

Chapter 5: Choosing Yarns

• A Matter of Twist
• Comments on Certain Fibers and Yarns
• Cotton
• Linen
• Silk
• Wool
• Rayon
• Chenille
• Sewing Thread
• Ribbon
• Nylon Monofilament
• Wire
• The New Yarns

Chapter 6: The Influence of Weave Structure

• Choosing a Structure
• Twill Weaves
• The Influence of Twist in Twill Fabric
• Striped Fabrics
• Pile, Lace, and Supplementary Thread Weaves
• Balanced Weaves
• Unbalanced Weaves
• Echo
• Turned Taqueté
• Complex Weaves

Chapter 7: Specialty Fabrics

• Sheer Fabrics
• Lace Weaves
• Weaving with Monofilament Nylon
• Weaving with Wire
• Layered Fabrics
• Moiré Effects
• Pleated Fabrics
• Pile Fabrics
• Satin/Sateen
• Capturing the Natural Spectrum

Chapter 8: Focus on Fashion

• Choosing a Pattern
• Sewing with Handwoven Fabric
• Caring for Your Iridescent Fabrics
• Accessories for Your Iridescent Fashions

Chapter 9: Options for Spinners, Dyers, and Knitters

• Spinning for Iridescence
• Dye Your Own Color-Play Yarns
• Iridescent Knitted Fabrics

Chapter 10: What Isn’t Iridescent?

Chapter 11: Projects

• Spectrum Napkins
• Alternate Colorway
• Double-Weave Scarf
• 6-Shaft Version
• 4-Shaft Version
• Three Scarves on One Warp
• 3-Color Scarf in Half-Basketweave
• 4-Color Twill Scarf
• 4-Color Scarf with Clasped Weft
• Vest Fabric in Double Weave
• Huck Yardage
• Alternate Colorway

Chapter 12: Photographing Iridescent Textiles

Recommended Resources

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