After two years of off-again, on-again work on this project, including two moves and a pandemic, it is finally time to fish or cut bait. I can keep tinkering with this monograph and make it more elegant, perfectly aligned, etc., ensure there are no more inconsistencies or puzzling references, and in general drive myself crazy.
Or I can make it available to you, Dear Reader, and let it sink or swim on its own merits.
What have we here? What is amalgamation?
Amalgamation is a technique used in the creation of weaving drafts for shaft looms; it is related to network drafting; it enables the weaver to create designs which at first glance would seem to require twice as many shafts. It is useful for looms of eight or more shafts. It will be helpful for weavers who already have a working knowledge of network drafting. It is not for beginners, although as long as you know how to read a draft and have a basic knowledge of how to use weaving software, you'll be good to go. Amalgamated fabrics can be woven with the same yarns and setts as twills, and you will love them for household fabrics and wearables.
Amalgamation: Double Your Dobby is a digital-only monograph of 24 pages. For $21 USD sent to me via PayPal I will provide a download link, and you will then have permission to print one copy for your own use. The monograph contains instructions for designing your own amalgamated drafts, numerous black & white diagrams, color photos of woven samples, over 20 downloadable drafts in WIF format for eight and sixteen shaft looms. and an appendix with specific amalgamation routines for three different weaving programs.
