In this comprehensive book, an expert textile arts instructor reveals everything readers need to know to make their own fabrics. This book explains where different fibers come from, how to grow and harvest your own vegetable fibers, and how to prepare them for spinning. The principles of spindle and spinning wheel spinning are covered, along with home dyeing using natural dyestuffs, and hand weaving with or without a loom. Finally, there are a number of simple projects, such as a rug, shoulder bag, bed cover, and jumper and mitts to put your newly learned skills to the test. "