Cours Théoriques de Tissage et de Broderie weaving manual

In this manuscript, entitled “Cours Théoriques de Tissage et de Broderie,” creator Léon Roux described the different methods of weaving and embroidering textiles as well as the patterns one could achieve by employing these techniques. Roux described and provided diagrams of necessary machinery as well as diagrams depicting the warp and weft threads on the loom. He also explained in great detail the methods of reeling, throwing, numbering (i.e. grading the silk by thickness of thread), and dyeing silk.

The volume is divided into four parts. Part 1 consists of two sections, the first on embroidery machines and the creation of various patterns, including leaves, flowers, and stars. In the second section of Part 1, Roux focused on weaving and provided detailed information on the production of silk, including the raising of silkworms and the twisting of thread, as well as diagrams of machinery and definition of various weave structures. He also described the weaving of wool, cotton, linen, hemp, jute, and other fibers. He outlined plans for the construction of a dobby loom towards the end of this section.

In Part 2, Roux focused on the properties and manufacture of various fabrics and furnished detailed diagrams on how to reel thread and set up the loom. This section of the manuscript contains 44 fabric swatches demonstrating the results of various weaving techniques.

In Part 3, Roux provided studies on equipment and the manufacturing process, including information on the Jacquard loom. This section contains numerous diagrams, many of which show how Jacquard cards worked together in the loom to produce patterns. Roux depicted numerous floral patterns in a variety of colors.

In Part 4, Roux briefly described the decomposition of manufactured materials. This section includes one fabric swatch on the second page.

The volume has aubergine marbled board covers with a black leather spine. The spine reads Cours Théoriques De Tissage Et De Broderie/1902-1903/L.R.” in gilt-stamped lettering. The volume has purple marbled endpapers and flyleaves. It contains 414 pages of gridded paper. There are 319 pages written primarily in black ink with occasional color accents. Drawings and diagrams can be found throughout; 95 pages are blank. The volume contains 45 fabric swatches, most of which are located in Part 2.