Making your first small Korowai: Basic Māori weaving techniques for a sample feather cloak by Robin Hill
Making your first small Korowai: Basic Māori weaving techniques for a sample feather cloak by Robin Hill Gisborne
Robin Hill has produced three very useful booklets for teachers and students keen to learn Māori weaving skills. The format of Making your First Small Korowai is replicated in the following titles:
More Tips and Techniques for Korowai Weaving
Mawhitiwhiti Patterns and Woven Bags
Therefore, this review provides a useful overview of the presentation of each resource.
Making your First Small Korowai introduces a basic, simple start to what could become an extensive weaving course. The book is of A4 size and is spiral bound with the obvious intention of it being with in the budget of a wide audience. The overall impression however is of very carefully thought through sets of instructions. Robin Hill discusses the best way to access the materials, details for preparing a 'block', through to the weaving process itself. Coloured photographs accompany the each step. The author’s use of contrasting material in the images enable the weaver to have a clear idea of what needs to be achieved. The language and weaving skills required suggest the book would be suitable for capable upper primary students to follow.
Image by Joyce Seitzinger
Kia Ora
Was very pleased I purchased a beginners kit and set of books from Robyn two years ago. Have made a contemporary Korowai for my daughters graduation using my sewing machine and tapestry canvas which took me 11 months to complete.
Have made my first little Korowai using Robyn's book took me 4 weeks to complete and now I am hooked. Making a Korowai for for my grandsons graduation in 2023 start it March 2021. When that is completed I aim to make a Muka Korowai.
Nga mahi
Gwen Reynish