Shows examples of textiles from around the world, including textiles decorated using paint, dyes, sewing, embroidery, and other embellishments.

Featuring textiles from the Balkans, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, this book reveals an eclectic selection of over 150 textiles that illustrate the richness and diversity of world textiles. With expert commentary that highlights the key features of the designs and sets them in their social and cultural context, this book gives insight into the significance of pattern and symbolism and tells the stories behind these spectacular works. Awash with vibrant color, fascinating motifs, and an assortment of striking and intricate patterns, this sourcebook offers a wealth of inspiration for using color and pattern and is a must-have for anyone interested in textile and design. * Includes various techniques of production: embroidery, weaving, printing and dyeing * Shows each individual textile in full through a series of detailed photographs

The history of textiles, more than that of any other artefact, is a history of human ingenuity. From the very earliest needles of 50,000 years ago to the smart textiles of today, textiles have been fundamental to human existence, and enjoyed, prized and valued by every culture. Silks from China, cottons from India, tapestries from Flanders, dyes from South America the appeal of different weaves, colours and patterns was long a motivation for trade, the exchange of ideas and sometimes even war. Mary Schoesers groundbreaking book, now revised and updated to incorporate new research, presents a chronological survey of textiles around the world from prehistory to the present. It explores how they are made, what they are made from, how they function in society and the ways in which they are valued and given meaning as well as reflecting on the environmental challenges they present today. World Textiles offers an invaluable introduction to this vast and fascinating subject for makers, designers, textile and fashion professionals, collectors and students alike.

From Paleolithic flax to 3D knitting, explore the global history of textiles and the world they weave together in this enthralling and educational guide. The story of humanity is the story of textiles -- as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world. Textiles funded the Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; they gave us banks and bookkeeping, Michelangelo's David and the Taj Mahal. The cloth business spread the alphabet and arithmetic, propelled chemical research, and taught people to think in binary code. Assiduously researched and deftly narrated, The Fabric of Civilization tells the story of the world's most influential commodity.

Profiles a West Bengali caste specializing in producing painted narrative scrolls and performing songs to accompany their unrolling.

This collection of essays examines the history of cotton textiles at a global level over the period 1200-1850. It provides new answers to two questions: what is it about cotton that made it the paradigmatic first global commodity? And second, why did cotton industries in different parts of the world follow different paths of development?

The World Textiles Thesaurus provides a unique hierarchical overview of all key concepts that are relevant to navigating scientific literature in the textiles and fibres domain. Both the Tree Structure and Term Relations are available for building sophisticated search strategies. In constructing the World Textiles Thesaurus, the same editorial rules were applied as to other successful thesauri such as EMTREE, the life Science Thesaurus.In addition to the Thesaurus, the World Textiles Atlas offers a comprehensive listing of all journals indexed in the World Textiles Abstract database, publishers' details, plus two extensive lists of major Textile Conferences and Organizations.

"Excellent . . . as colorful and as full of joie de vivre as a room full of Matisse paintings." --The World of Interiors

New in paperback, this colourful book takes the reader on an international textile tour with a fabric-collecting fashion designer. Pieced together much like the fine garments it portrays, this book presents in glorious photographs, samples and sketches a raft of remarkable clothing from all over the world. Taking the reader from Vietnam to Benin, from Central America to northern India, the book is brimful of stunning costumes, vibrant fabrics and breathtaking detail. All designers and anyone who loves fashion will find this volume a huge source of inspiration, as will all fans of off-thebeaten- track travel destinations.'Fabulous to dip in to, full of inspiration and intrigue, you'll feel like you've made the journey yourself!' - Craftsman Magazine 'Fantastically vibrant ... bright turbans and intricate embroidery galore' - Wanderlust 'Lovely ... a wealth of illustrations of people and their finery all over the world' - The Irish Times

An updated edition of this indispensable reference, surveying the history of textiles from 25,000 years ago to the present. The history of textiles, more than that of any other artifact, is a history of human ingenuity. From the very earliest needles of 25,000 years ago to the smart textiles of today, textiles have been fundamental to human existence, and enjoyed, prized, and valued by every culture. Silks from China, cottons from India, tapestries from Flanders, dyes from South America—the appeal of different weaves, colors, and patterns was long a motivation for trade, the exchange of ideas, and sometimes even war. Mary Schoeser’s groundbreaking book, now revised and updated to incorporate new research with color illustrations, presents a chronological survey of textiles around the world from prehistory to the present. It explores how they are made, what they are made from, how they function in society, and the ways in which they are valued and given meaning as well as reflecting on the environmental challenges they present today. World Textiles offers an invaluable introduction to this vast and fascinating subject for makers, designers, textile and fashion professionals, collectors, and students alike.