Weaving Iridescence

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.

If you have been looking to add some shimmer to your weaving, this is the only book you will ever need!

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

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