The January/February Piecework was hiding in the same desk with the SS&D above.

It starts with an intriguing look at "William Morris: Victorian England's Medieval Artisan," by Margaret Horton. This accomplished man was a designer of wallpaper and printed fabrics as well as weaver, dyer, stained glass and embroidery designer, poet, writer and political reformer.

Following articles on perforated paper and patchwork quilts, there is "The Silk Industry of Florence--Massachusetts," by Peter Weis and Ann Feitelson, an excellent history of sericulture in the early United States. This is followed by "Fancy Red Silk Mittens to Knit," by Ann Feitelson.

A burgeoning interest in the Guild is "Tassels: Universal Decoration," by Nancy Welch. This interesting history of Tassels is accompanied by wonderful illustrations.

This is followed by "A Beaded Bag to Crochet, by Torri Hanna. Tassels of beads could probably be added to these bags.

There are many columns and departments in this magazine, which announces that it is about "Craft and History Hand in Hand." It really lives up to its claim.

Piecework, the magazine subtitled "Craft & History Hand in Hand," has another interesting heading on the cover of the March/April issue. "Women's History & Needlework" should make this issue good reading for most members of the Guild.

Meeting head-on the fact that March is Women's History Month, Piecework begins with "The Claim Life of Jennie Mae Olsen," by Jude Daurelle, an article on fine needlework on a Homestead in North Dakota. It helped considerably that diaries and handwritten memoirs were left behind. The author teaches spinning and weaving and has a passion for women's history. Instructions are given for "Jennie Mae Olsen's Fancy Bag."

Susan Goodier-Kalaf writes on the U.S. Women's Suffrage Movement, "Through the Eye of the Needle." She points out that "Some women who were involved with the suffrage movement considered needlework symbolic of women's oppression." This is a fascinating article about something we take very much for granted.

Meg Swanson writes eloquently about her mother, "Elizabeth Zimmerman." Perhaps the best known of knitters, Zimmerman developed many interesting methods. Directions for "A Heart Hat for Baby," taken from one of her books, are given.

"Candace Wheeler: Champion of Decorative Arts," by Mary Sue Hannan, tells of an innovative artist, textile designer, wife, mother, and homemeker. These wonderful pages inspire one to want to read Wheeler's autobiography, Yesterdays in a Busy Life. Directions for a "Crewel Embroidered Book Cover," designed by Kathy Williams and stitched by Linda Carlson, follow.

Would you believe that there was a "Milkmaid Motif" from 1702 for several centuries? Elly Smith, a sampler maker, describes this era and gives splendid illustrations. Directions for "Cross-Stitched Milkmaid Samplers" follow.

Lynne Zacek Bassett writes a must-read article on "Virtuous Habits of Perseverance: Quilting and the Education of Girls in Nineteenth-Century America." A small inset, called "A Cautionary Tale," should make each reader run to finish all projects stuffed away in drawers and closets. Meg Grossman's "Hexagon Cradle Quilt," which uses paper templates, is clearly delineated.

Product News, letters, book reviews, columns such as "Tapestry" (the new and noteworthy), "Favorite Things" (this time: dolls) and "WOW," (a bamboo undergarment) should not be missed.

The Winter issue of Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot has a gorgeous tapestry, "A Pair of Prickly Pears," on the cover. Written up under "Harmony: Interpretations of Nature in Contemporary Tapestry," several of the magnificent international tapestries from Convergence '98 are pictured, including this and another by Jon Eric Riis.

News & Information tells of many shows, grants and awards around the country. Books & Videos include a memoir of Jack Lenor Larson, an account of Black Mountain College, Textiles from a Mississippi village, a catalog from a Shibori exhibition which includes three essays, and a beautifully illustrated book on the gift of Lloyd Kotzen to a Santa Fe Museum. All of these are books a weaver should have available.

A wonderful discussion on tabby is given by Marcy Petrini in "Right from the Start." Please read this and take special note of her Table I: Definition of Weaves.

It's fun to read Guildview, information gleaned from guild newsletters. Good suggestions can be taken from this column.

Peggy Hobbs (are you the formerly Philadelphia Hobbs I once knew?) has written a glowing article on "Lewis Knauss: Meditations on the Landscape." There was a Knauss exibition of these Meditations in Allentown in January. These pieces include colors and textures from Nature, and incorporate knots, linen fibers, beads, marble chips, paper, wire, and more. Here is a celebrated weaver with an outstanding body of work.

Vicky Gadberry's "Black Mountain College: A Glimpse into Its Impact on 20th Century Art and Education" is exactly what its title implies. There were some heavily charged attitudes for this school's holistic approach to education in the highly political year of 1933. Although it closed in 1956, it left its imprint on art and education.

In "Lyn Sterling Montagne: Walking on Color," Lee Lawrence presents a weaver and dyer who designs and makes rugs for interior decorators and designers. She weaves many color samples, called "strike offs," amd dyes the yarns in her dye house. Then she weaves them standing at her ten foot Cranbrook loom. Very inspiring.

Convergence '98 featured "Intensity: Basketry in Depth." This article lists the basketmakers and shows seven outstanding examples.

"ArtQuest," by Lee Lawrence, tells of an interactive gallery designed by basketmaker John Skau, where children can discover their imaginations and explore their skills. With giant looms and a puppet stage, children can really take off. This is a wonderful adjunct to schools which have lost much of their art instruction.

In the Learning Exchange on "Lincoln Longwool," Loraine Powell gives every aspect of that fleece. Read carefully the washing method.

The next Learning Exchange, "An Intro-duction to Four-Shaft Double Weave," by Paul O'Connor, can help any weaver desiring to learn about and execute this weave.

Karen Searle gives the following Learning Exchange, "Pick-Up Weaves." This is a terrific article to read after hearing Ellen's talk on Peru. The bibliography lists wonderful references for this type of work.

Another spinners' Learning Exchange is Paula J. Vester's "Fiber Blends: Wool, Silk and Mohair." The possibilities described are endless.

I had such a good time spinning angora and silk.

Be sure to read the final article, "Weaving in the Land of Prester John," by Frances D. McClure. Tradition says that Prester John, the legendary medieval Christian king and priest, once ruled Ethiopia. Follow this wonderful journey to a land which few outsiders ever see.

SAMPLES

In the spinning sample, Gage Evans explained more about spinning dog "hair." She had taken a workshop,"Puppies and Pearls," by COE-holder Kaye Collins, and spins many types, this one being Spitz and Sheepdog. Having done this myself, I can state that dog down makes a beautiful yarn for either knitting or weaving.