Silk and Cotton


Book Description

The traditional textiles of Central Asia are unknown treasures. Straddling the legendary Silk Road, this vast region stretches from Russia in the west to China in the east. Whether nomadic or sedentary, its peoples created textiles for every aspect of their way of life, from ceremonial objects marking rites of passage, to everyday garments, to practical items for the home. There were suzanis for the marriage bed; prayer mats; patchwork quilts; bridal ensembles; bags for tea, scissors, and mirrors; lovingly embroidered hats and bibs; and robes of every color and pattern. Author Susan Meller has spent years assembling the 590 textiles illustrated in this book. She documents their history, use, and meaning through archival photographs and fascinating travelers’ narratives spanning many centuries. Her book will be a revelation to designers, collectors, students of Central Asia, and travelers to the region. Silk and Cotton is destined to become a classic.




From Cotton to Silk


Book Description

It's Wash Day! But Elise doesn't want to wash her hair. Will a visit from her favorite Auntie CC and a gift from the ancestors change her mind? Features textile renderings created by 467 hours of hand-sewing by artist Crystal C. Mercer.




Under the Silk Cotton Tree


Book Description

This series is designed to bring to North American readers the once-unheard voices of writers who have achieved wide acclaim at home, but are not recognized beyond the borders of their native lands. With special emphasis on women writers, Interlink's Emerging Voices series publishes the best of the world's contemporary literature in translation or original English.




All about Silk


Book Description




The Modern Natural Dyer


Book Description

“Kristine’s book breaks down natural dyeing from both a scientific and creative perspective, making the process feel as approachable as it is beautiful.” —Design*Sponge Thousands of natural materials can produce glorious color—the insect cochineal produces pink, maroon, and purple, and more than 500 species of plants produce indigo blue. In The Modern Natural Dyer expert Kristine Vejar shares the most user-friendly techniques for dyeing yarn, fabric, and finished goods at home with foraged and garden-raised dyestuffs as well as with convenient natural dye extracts. Demystifying the “magic,” Vejar explains in explicit, easy-to-follow detail how to produce consistent, long-lasting color. With stunning photography of the dyes themselves, the dyeing process, and twenty projects for home and wardrobe (some to knit, some to sew, and some just a matter of submerging a finished piece in a prepared bath), The Modern Natural Dyer is a complete resource for aspiring and experienced dye artisans. “A terrific primer for anyone new to the technique. Kristine walks you through the ins and outs of the process, from defining what scouring and mordanting mean to helping you learn how best to achieve desired colors.” —DIY Network “Vejar’s lovely book is very sophisticated and detailed.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Absolutely stunning . . . The projects range from dyeing pre-made items like a slip, silk scarf or tote bag to dyeing yarn to knit a hat, shawl or cardigan . . . exceeded all my high expectations.” —Make Something




Thread Painting and Silk Shading Embroidery


Book Description

Thread painting embroidery is one of the most beautiful embroidery techniques. Often mistaken for painted art, it shows off the true skill of an embroiderer. This book demystifies the technique and shows how easy it is to start embroidering your own stitched masterpieces. For the true beginner and the experienced stitcher alike it will be a treasured guide, explaining the techniques and providing the inspiration to master this exquisite form of embroidery. Over 600 colour photographs support twenty step-by-step projects that range from a simply shaded topiary tree to a three-dimensional hydrangea bouquet. Guide to getting started introduces equipment you may need, explains how to transfer designs to fabric and demonstrates the long stitch and short stitch. Advice on blending colours and stitching shades together to achieve depth and vitality. Provides inspiration and encourages experimentation to create your own designs. Illustrates historical examples and explains how to reproduce and learn from these pieces, while also showcasing contemporary techniques and ideas for finished embroidery. Over 600 colour photographs support twenty step-by-step projects that range from a simply shaded topiary tree to a three-dimensional hydrangea bouquet.




Indian Textiles


Book Description

"[A] handsome digest of commercial, tribal, and folk textiles." —Fiberarts The production of textiles in India continues to flourish just as it has for many centuries. The interactions of indigenous tribes, invaders, traders, and explorers throughout history has built a culture legendary for its variety and color. From the Rann of Kutch to the Coromandel coast, handloom weavers, block printers, painters, dyers, and embroiderers are creating the most extraordinary textiles. This all-encompassing survey of textiles from every region of the Indian subcontinent runs the gamut of commercial, tribal, and folk textiles. The authors first place them in context by examining the cultural background: the history, the materials, and the techniques—weaving, printing, painting, and tie-dye. They then give a detailed region-by-region account of traditional textiles production, including chapters on Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. A dazzling array of images provides an unsurpassed visual representation of the textiles, while a detailed reference section with further reading, museums, and information on technical terms completes this essential guide.




Hawaiian Women's Fashion


Book Description

Hawaiian Women's Fashions: Kapa, Cotton and Silk traces the history of the clothing worn by the women of Hawaii. The description moves from the traditional kapa pa'u and natural adornments worn by the first settlers in the Hawaiian Islands, through clothing worn during the early interactions with Westerners following Captain James Cook's discovery of Hawaii, to the time when royal women carried out their social duties in fancy, expensive European gowns of silk and velvet and to the present-day fashions created by Hawaiian designers.




Sew Very Easy Patternless Sewing


Book Description

Click subscribe! YouTube star Laura Coia makes it Sew Very Easy Her instructional videos have inspired hundreds of thousands to start sewing. Now sew-lebrity Laura Coia is back with written patterns for 26 fan favorite video tutorials on her “Sew Very Easy” YouTube channel! From eyeglass cases and hanging door pockets to drawstring bags and custom machine covers, these projects are suitable for beginners and beyond. Brush up on basic techniques, adding zippers, binding, and drawstrings with ease. Then stitch up beautiful bags, accessories, and home decor with surprising hidden features. With no pattern pieces to transfer, it’s as easy to measure, cut, and sew! Learn to sew with Laura Coia, the YouTube star behind “Sew Very Easy” videos Make 26 useful projects like bags, accessories, and home decor—some in multiple sizes Easy to find icons help identify projects to sew with precuts, fabric scraps, reclaimed fabrics, and more




American Silk, 1830-1930


Book Description

"Traces the American silk industry, once the world's largest, through case studies of the Nonotuck (Northampton, Massachusetts), Haskell (Westbrook, Maine), and Mallinson (New York and Pennsylvania) silk companies. Examines entrepreneurs as well as history of technology and products from sewing-machine thread to mass-produced plain and high-fashion silks"--Provided by publisher.