This is a sweet book with great weekend craft projects. It has projects an older child or teen could manage on their own (although they may need a little help making some of the looms). I particularly liked the flora wrap bracelet and my kids have demanded clamshell pouches! A lot of the bits and pieces you need for the looms are things that you (well, me anyway) will have around the house so no specialist equipment is needed. I can't wait to have a go at making some of these cute little projects.
-- Andrea Longman * Customer review *
I liked this book for its simple, clear instructions and step-by-step photo guides. Once the basics are mastered, the simple projects provide a good basis for experimentation and I shall be using some of them to make embellishments for larger textile pieces (I particularly liked the covered buttons). The book will also be useful when working with children, who, in my experience, gain immediate satisfaction from a piece of work that hasn't taken hours to make. All in all, it's a very good investment.
-- Dianne Hayes * Customer review *
The notion of this book appealed to me because the concept of DIY looms implies an inexpensive hobby and the ability to create from waste (e.g. an old shoebox). A lack of initial outlay would mean that if you don't enjoy your new hobby, you've not squandered much cash. Some requirements - such as a 4cm square of illustration board - may prove costly if the only option is to purchase a larger quantity in the first instance, though I expect cheaper improvisations could be made, with a bit of trial and error. If nothing else, this guide is good at making you see the potential of using pretty much anything to weave on - even tubes.
The cover refers to 25 cute projects; which they certainly are. I found them to be very whimsical. The most practical projects are covered buttons, coasters, and a card case. A cross-weaving technique demonstrated on a frame loom adds some variety. There are also instructions for 3D weaving on a paperboard loom - a useful technique - and there are some handy tips dotted across the pages. T
These handmade looms look less daunting than, say, a jacquard loom, so may entice a beginner. The instructions for securing the woven threads is to use glue to finish the edges. I was surprised at this. It seems like a bit of a cheat. The photographs are good and very much needed. If I were new to weaving, the instructions would seem complicated. The projects, from their photographs, look like a beginner should be able to make them - some are even reminiscent of techniques I was taught at infant school - but I felt that the instructions were aimed at an intermediate level.
I can also see that a person wishing to challenge themselves a little and escape from the everyday by having to really focus on a craft might benefit from picking this up.
-- Sophie Hudson * Customer review *
This is a lovely book with clear diagrams and instructions and some lovely photographs. I am a complete beginner and this book gave me quite a few ideas and tips which I could use on my own weaving ideas. I did find some of the projects slightly dated but I could adapt many of these projects to suit my own ideas. But overall I am very please with this book.
-- Lisa J Parker * Customer review *
Where do I start, well first of all I was asked to review this book and so here I am giving my review. First of all would I buy this book, the short answer is yes, but at a later date. The long answer is that this book is especially ideal for beginners, someone who wants to learn about the different looms. I was fascinated reading this book as I use knitting looms, but some items I wasn't aware of. How you can make a cheap loom yourself at home, so more ideal if you don't have a lot of money spare to buy various looms to make your wares. It also gives you scope to come up with many designs yourself. As I have been busy with orders in my other crafts I haven't had time to try them out, but as I run a local craft group I'll be taking this book there for us all to have a go at making things to sell for our local church. We have a few people with learning disabilities and again this book will be good to get them looming as well as other people that come along. I also think this is good for children with adult supervision to learn from. I hope others get out of it what I've got from just reading the book, I have got my husband to make me some of the looms to get us started quicker than if I needed to get them elsewhere at cost.
-- Amanda Whitehouse * Customer review *
A lovely book with stunning photography that is sure to inspire any creative mind. The projects are simple and have clear instructions, using basic tools and materials that most households have. The finished items look complex and detailed but are actually perfectly achievable for a range of ages and abilities without any prior weaving experience. Even just to look through for inspiration, I personally love this book!
-- Amy Jayne Rowe * Customer review *
Small projects mean small looms, and Harumi shows how easy these are to make with a few materials you can find at home such as cardboard, paper, pins, wood and nails. These do-it-yourself looms are perfect for crafting on the go, and are small enough to take with you as a portable travel craft or outside pastime.
With just a small selection of basic materials, you'll be weaving on your handmade loom in no time.
See the full review here.
* Seashore Creative *
When I was a child I made a loom out of an old picture frame, and wove an Alice band on it. This innovative book shows how you can weave all kinds of small items on looms made from boxes, cardboard tubes, wooden boards, twigs or just card.
Anybody who regularly reads my reviews will know I am always looking for new ways of recycling things, and here is a good one. Weave outside using yarn and twigs, cut out card circles, roll up card or hammer nails into wooden boxes or (like me) old frames. With a table fork for a beater, crochet hook and tapestry needle, hammer and nails you will probably be able to make any of the looms, all of which are so simple to make that instructions are kept to a minimum. There are plenty of clear photographic steps to stringing the looms, weaving and finishing off, and of course projects. Cover buttons, weave mats, create jewellery, wall hangings, napkin rings, wallets, bunting and more (no Alice bands). My favourites have to be the tote bag and matching clutch purse, showing that you can do a lot with a little. The threads used include all kinds of yarns but also ribbons, strips of suede and even chenilles (pipe cleaners). The projects have clear diagrams and instructions; if you are new to this sort of thing I advise starting with the simpler looms and items first. Recycling has never been so much fun!
-- Rachel Hyde * myshelf.com *
This book is a treasure-trove of ideas for weaving interesting small projects on very simple looms. It was originally written in Japanese, but the translation is so good that you really wouldn't notice. The book is subdivided into board looms, round looms, box looms and frame looms. The examples given use simple, everyday objects (twigs, cardboard, rolled fabric, cardboard boxes and off-cuts of wood) to make the looms. Additional tools include glass-headed sewing pins, darning needles, scraps of yarn, wooden skewers and disposable wooden forks. So, things lying around your home.
The instructions are clear and there are many helpful illustrations. A friend and I have already use some of the suggestions to demonstrate weaving to children and adults at a recent drop-in workshop at a local venue. There are more ideas that we would like to try in the future.
If you work with children, demonstrate to the public or are intrigued by small projects, this book is an excellent resource and I recommend that you find space on your bookshelf for it.
* Jill Riley *
