Mary E. Black (1895–1989)

The Key To Weaving
Mary E. Black
Pages: 698
Cost: $29.95 back many years ago
Out of print
Hard Cover

When I carried this book from the studio into the house, I strangely began singing a song that I learned back when I was a Brownie.

“Make new friends, but keep the old ones, one is silver and the other gold”

And that is what this book is to me. I think this was my very first weaving book I ever purchased back in the early 1980’s. Whenever I had a weaving related question… “What is ____?” show more or how to make a “repair heddle” or how to do a Burning test for fibers – it was all in there. There may be newer books out on the market today, but whenever a question comes to mind – Mary Black’s book is the first one that I grab.

Mary begins this book with a “How to Use This Book” section, and explains “That this book is strictly a textbook and should be used as such”. (I have never sat down and read this book form cover to cover, but have went to the index and looked up what I was in need of knowing and paged to that area). The book starts out talking about the types of looms and choosing a loom and parts of a loom. The next chapter covers winding a warp (paddle, board reel), dressing the loom (f-b, b-f and the beriau method).

Chapter 3 jumps into the types of weave structures and continues through the next 12 chapters.

Chapter 15 - General information
Record keeping of your weaving, making string heddles, problem solving for both the loom itself and the fabric you are weaving. Tying on a new warp to your existing warp on the loom, knots, fringe are also covered in this chapter.

Chapter 16 - Fibers
This chapter covers: the purchasing of, the care of, man made, mineral and vegetable fibers. Yarn counts for different fibers are listed. Preparing warp chains for dyeing, burn test chart included.

Chapter 17 Color in Weaving

As a final thought: I would highly recommend this book to any new weaver. Although out of print – it’s pretty available to purchase in weaving circles. For between $10 and $25.00. Please be aware there is another Mary Black book “The New Key to Weaving” (titles are very similar) but do not let the “New” fool you. That version is older and less up to date than “The Key to Weaving” – which I would recommend over the “New” one. show less

The Key to Weaving has been revised and expanded to cover all the latest information on colors, fibers, and the newest patterns-including those you design yourself. The result is an easy-to-follow manual by a master weaver whose years of teaching experience enable her to answer every question ou might ask and predict every pitfall you'll want to avoid. This book offers step-by-step instructions for shadow weave and the new six- and eight-harness weaves, explores the intricacies of color in show more weaving, and feature an in-depth section on fibers and how to use them most effectively. show less

This is a comprehensive book on using floor looms and weaving in general. A lot of information in a small book.

Very simple illustrated guide