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4.5
This book will appeal to those who are very experienced ply-splitters and prefer to learn a process through formulaic mathematical and geometrical analysis. The author’s academic-style prose describes his processes in minute detail.In his introduction Fraser has chosen to show a traditional wooden needle to split a cord’s plies instead of the gripfid that contemporary fiber artists are accustomed to using. In subsequent chapters series of photographs illustrate various ways of starting basket bases. Captions are detailed and systematic, and the images are not obstructed by arrows or other means of highlighting pertinent points. The chapter on fenestrations includes diagrams of various sizes and configurations of this type of design element. Another chapter uses a chess analogy to describe a vessel’s color progression from one to another. Various types of finishes are shown in the images and noted in the captions but not described in detail or diagrammed.This is not a teaching book for those who want to learn the basics of ply-split braiding, nor is it a project book per se; rather, it gives the ply-splitter instructions for starting the base of a basket and incorporating selected design structures, and it shows Fraser's beautiful finished pieces. The experienced practitioner can use the information to generate designs similar to the author’s, or better yet, develop the concepts in new directions.This review was written by a very experienced ply-splitting artist and instructor.
