The Technique of Split-Shed Weaving

Book excerpt: Break out of blocks with split-shed weaving. This technique gives any weaver with a 4-shaft loom the ability to weave pictorial imagery using continuous wefts without the need for complicated equipment, pick-up sticks, dobby mechanisms, graphed designs, or warp thread counting. One can weave structures that include variations of twills, tied weaves, double weft-faced weaves, taqueté, samitum, Bronson, double weave, lampas, piqué, waffle and more! Every pattern is accompanied by color images with detailed enlargements. Easy-to-understand drafts include drawdowns that illustrate all possible pattern combinations, as well as tie-up and treadling diagrams for jack, direct tie-up, table, countermarch and counterbalance looms.The beginning chapters are designed to allow the weaver to create a multi-pattern sampler on a single warp. The book progression enables one to advance from one shuttle structures to two-shuttle weaves, then to multi-shuttle weaving, allowing the weaver to mix colors and create shading. The book includes simplified treadling instructions for several loom types that can be copied and attached to the loom for easy reference while weaving. There are also instructions for creating a cartoon that remains flat and that will not wrinkle when beating.Deborah Silver is an artist, author, and weaving instructor. Her weavings employ the split-shed technique, transforming traditional pattern structures into a signature method of hand-weaving. All weft yarns travel from selvedge to selvedge, differentiating this cloth from tapestry. Her past works have been inspired by the increased cross-culturalism in the world which has been facilitated by technology. Her recent art is drawn from American women's history and from memorials found in old cemeteries. Deborah's weavings have been shown in numerous local and international juried exhibitions, receiving many awards, including the Complex Weavers Award and First Place at "Complexity 2018: Innovations in Weaving". She received a Cleveland Jewish Arts and Culture Fellowship award in 2015, and an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award in 2019.Deborah continues to explore the many facets of split-shed weaving in her art, discovering new ways to combine her imagery with pattern structures.