Clothing and Textiles

Instructions for crafting saddles, bridles, reins, and quirts. Includes a section on how to make a Western saddle by Lee M. Rice. Much of the material in this book is covered by Grant’s larger Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding.

A voluminous work dedicated to illustrating and documenting a myriad of fancy horse tack and leatherwork that few remaining craftsman remember how to make.

This encyclopedic volume is a true sewing bible. Copiously illustrated it covers everything from beginning techniques and learning how to sew, to advanced seamstress tips, tricks, and techniques. From bachelors to dress designers and county fair prize winners, this is a great reference to have on hand.

This excellent book illustrates quite a variety of weaving methods and equipment, including simple Navajo and Hopi looms. If you wanted a single comprehensive backup book in case you needed to spin a skein of yarn, weave yourself a bolt of cloth, or perhaps fashion your own simple equipment, this would be an excellent reference. The other recommended books provide clearer learning instructions for their covered topic, but this is a good all-around guide. This book is well illustrated, lists many different sources for materials (though it hasn’t been revised since 1983 so it’s somewhat out of date), and provides reasonably clear instructions.

This is really a fascinating little book about many useful plants and plant applications. In addition to plants for natural fibers and dyes, it covers plants for soaps, scents, insecticides, and useful textile tools. Buchanan is also the author of A Dyer’s Garden: From Plant to Pot, Growing Dyes for Natural Fibers.

Master knitter Elizabeth Zimmerman is credited with developing simple mathematical formulas that opened up a new world of sweater design and flexibility. Her book, Knitting Without Tears, is not a standalone beginner’s knitting handbook (I would be totally lost if I only had this knitting book), but it is a valuable addition to a knitter’s reference library. It contains techniques and directions for knitting garments to fit all sizes. Once you have learned the basics of how to knit from other sources, use this book to help you to knit customized garments that fit well.

Crocheting resembles knitting, only you use a single needle with a hooked tip rather than two or more smooth-tipped knitting needles. This book offers clear instructions for beginning to advanced crocheting. Very readable and accessible, even if you have never crocheted before.

This is an excellent companion to Vogue Knitting. It is more verbal, but with fewer illustrations, though the illustrations have been improved with this new edition. Combining the text and line drawings of this book with the pictures from Vogue Knitting can help clarify confusing techniques.