Kristin Smith

This book contains complete instructions for creating woven bands with no other equipment that one's hands. It was my first introduction to finger-weaving which became a passion for me. I used the bands I made for garters, belts and shoulder straps for instruments and purses. There are now many books in full color with examples of the Assomption sash or cinture des fleches, but Barbeau connects the modern day artisan with the weavers of the past. The cultural connections and history of this technique in French Canada and across the prairies, north and west, as a trade article, as clarified in Barbeau, brought to life an epoch in the North America's colonization when European and indigenous people traded with each other and exchanged ideas and for a time mutually benefited. Barbeau also wrote books about other folk arts such as music and stories. Great man.