Weave Your Way Through History with Overshot

Overshot is one of those magic structures that appeals to both historical-minded weavers and thoroughly modern ones alike. Whether you want to re-create historical coverlets or create something stylish and new, overshot has you covered. As both a former historian and a millennial, I love all aspects of overshot, and if you’re like me, you’ll love our new eBook featuring ten 4-shaft overshot projects from the past decade of Handwoven.

The Prim Rose Table Runner by Norma Smayda and Ann Rudman was based on a draft from Weaver Rose. Photo Credit: George Boe

When choosing projects for this new eBook, we wanted to let weavers see the progression of American overshot weaving. You’ll find projects based on traditional designs and drafts of old, projects featuring the miniature overshot of Bertha Gray Hayes, and wonderful—and modern—interpretations of this timeless weave structure. When you weave through the projects in this book, you get to weave through history.

The Wandering Vine Table Runner by Tom Knisely was inspired by a historical coverlet in Tom’s collection. Photo Credit: Joe Coca

For the history lovers, there are also some bonus articles that go beyond warp and weft. Read all about Weaver Rose and his mission to collect and preserve old drafts. Learn about the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of creating show towels. Then, decipher old drafts with Madelyn van der Hoogt as she teaches you how to take antique drafts and translate them into a modern format.

For her Sweet Little Wedding Towels, Tracy Kaestner turned to the drafts of miniature-overshot weaver Bertha Gray Hayes. Photo Credit: Joe Coca

Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it; just take a look at some of the fabulous projects featured within! There’s the fabulous Prim Rose Table Runner by Norma Smayda and Ann Rudman based on a draft from Weaver Rose, the Wandering Vine Table Runner from Tom Knisely (this also happens to be my all-time favorite Tom Knisely project, which is saying something), Tracy Kaestner’s Sweet Little Wedding Towels that pay homage to that famous weaver of “little” overshot, Bertha Gray Hayes, and oh, so much more.

If you love overshot as much as I do, I know you’ll love this eBook and the opportunity to weave through time.

Happy Weaving!

Christina