Thrums

by Faithe Shaw Nunneley

Thrums – The bits of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth has been removed.

Thrums, the book, is an amusing compilation of odds and ends for hand weavers and dyers. 

Thrums – You may toss them in a basket because you cannot bear to throw away even a bit of that special yarn.   Yarn you may have hand spun and/or hand dyed, or yarn for which you paid a pretty penny.  Those precious yarns.  As the author quips, “yarn is anything with two ends that bends in the middle.”  Nunneley discusses fiber and yarn types and presents several chapters on dying techniques for different fibers, plus an extensive appendix of dye recipes and processes.

On the subject of weaving and the finished cloth, the author provides chapters on the tools, the weaves, finishing, color and design.

You will undoubtedly enjoy Nunneley’s witty quips and pearls of advice and helpful tips such as the chapter conclusions of “slick tricks,” as well as chapters on fixing disasters and foiling Murphy’s Law.

Faithe Shaw Nunneley, who passed away in 2003, was one of the original members of the Handweavers Guild of America, and an early contributor to the Convergence seminars.  She traveled extensively to weaving exhibits and schools around the world.  She was a very experienced weaver, and well read of the most noteworthy author-instructors. Her book makes reference to several well regarded authors and their books, many of which the Butler Spinner and Weavers Guild holds in its library.

Christine Williamson, Librarian, 2008

Butler County Spinners and Weavers Guild