The most ingenious and ephemeral of textiles, lace ispresented as the poetry of fashion. Here is a fascinating glimpse into this extraordinary art form and its role in our culture presented with over 225 pictures, including dramatic original photographs as well as historical illustrations, to portray various types of lace and lace garments from different periods. This is a delightful journey through the history of a celebrated ornament of fashion. An outstanding resource for fashion historians, designers, collectors, students, and aficionados, this unique study will be cherished by all who appreciate beautiful clothing and fabrics.

Whimsical household linens and handkerchiefs of the 20th century, most from the "fun linen" period after World War II and through the 1960s, fill this book. The authors' selection criteria was simple: the linens must be collectible, cheerful, and fun! Shown in outstanding color photographs are eye-catching tablecloths, napkins, placemats, runners, towels, doilies, potholders, bedspreads, pillowcases, curtains, laundry bags, and aprons. Organized by subject matter and accompanied by fascinating historical information, they reflect American society during a period of rapid change. Included are many examples of embroidered, crocheted, and hand-painted linens, as well as wonderful signed and unsigned printed pieces. The designs include those by early, pre-World War II proponents of the "fun linen" look, such as Tony Sarg and Tom Lamb. To aid collectors, the authors offer tips for finding and purchasing fun linens, newly discovered information about some of the textile designers featured, and current values. These popular and charming keepsakes are guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

The antique beaded bag is a most exquisite and sought-after vintage collectible. Over 600 detailed color photographs display hundreds of mostly European (French, Italian, Austrian, and Czechoslovakian) handbags, many never before published, including Miser, American Indian, embroidered, drawstring, framed, scenic, Bohemian, and cut steel, with information on care, history, and design techniques, and close-up photographs of the intricate beadwork. Detailed captions, a current value guide, a comprehensive bibliography, and an index guarantee this to be the ultimate collector's guide to vintage handbag fashion design.

Fans--they are mysterious and magical, and have been elevated to an art form by the great artists and decorators. They can be viewed as a tangible extension of femininity, style, and elegance. This book tells the fascinating tale of the fan as both a charming fashion accessory and a sophisticated mirror reflecting the changes in fashion and culture over time. Covering medieval times to the twentieth century, individual chapters trace the history of fans and their relationship to the major fashion trends of each era. Over 255 images, including dramatic original photos as well as historical illustrations, showcase fans made of paper, silk, lace, wood, celluloid, feathers, and more. Different shapes and styles of fans are featured, including fixed, pleated, and brise fans, souvenir fans, even several restored fans shown in "before and after" photos. An outstanding resource for fashion historians, students, designers, collectors, and aficionados, this unique study of the fan and its relationship to fashion will be of great interest to anyone who appreciates beautiful clothing and beautiful accessories.

Over the years, various garments have become increasingly popular collectible items as they grant insight into the cultures in which they were made. Collectors who love the sand, sun, and surf will delight in this extraordinary guide to handsome Hawaiian clothing. Filled with over 460 beautiful photos, this book gives a historical account of Hawai`i's fashion industry and its effect on the Western world. Unique island designs, exotic fabrics, and traditional garments--including the holoku and mu`umu`u--are all included within this spectacular display of Hawaiian paradise. Generations of tourists to Hawai`i will enjoy the explanations of clothing designs unique to the islands, and designers will find this an invaluable and inspiring reference tool.

In the past ten years, antique textiles, especially those from France, have become very popular for interior decoration. In her easy-to-read style, the author gives a basic history of French textiles from the Middle Ages to Art DA (c)co. 416 beautiful color photographs demonstrate traditional and contemporary uses for tapestries, cottons, linens, laces, embroidery, needlepoint, and trims. Suggestions are given for their use in contemporary interior and home dA (c)cor. Answers to frequently asked questions are very helpful to the novice and connoisseur alike. The clearly stated text explains how to recognize these fabrics in the marketplace and what to look for when purchasing them. A range of values for the examples shown reflects the current antiques market. \nThis is a book for the general public as well as for designers. Readers will gain the confidence to add a creative touch or note of elegance to their decorations and designs with antique textiles.

From the sweet simplicity of household linens to lacy confections of European origin, this essential reference will answer many questions about heirloom linens that may be tucked away in closets and attics. Whether you are a long-time collector or have recently inherited linens and simply want to know more about them, this guide will help you better understand their function and value. Organized alphabetically by type of linen, the book features over 300 beautiful photographs of tablecloths, towels, napkins, pot holders, placemats, curtains, doilies, runners, bed covers, boudoir cases, bureau scarves, pillowcases, lingerie envelopes, and many more. The items date primarily from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and include linens from Italy, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, France, and America. Captions provide dimensions, values, and variations in size, color, or style. Many close-up photographs illustrate the intricate workmanship of fine appliqu*/e work, embroidery, and laces from around the world. This book will delight all connoisseurs of fine vintage linen.

With this valuable book, novices and connoisseurs alike will be able to correctly identify the most distinctive styles and purchase contemporary Oriental rugs in traditional designs of the highest quality. Over 270 beautiful color photos, including many close-up shots, display these fascinating carpets to their best advantage. The authoritative text provides valuable information on unusual rugs, rug pedigree and discernible workshop style, knot count, dyes, the Lotus design, and specific rug weaving areas--including India, Pakistan, Persia, Turkey, Nepal, Tibet, China, Egypt, and Romania. The text also provides essential rug-buying tips and recommendations for rug care. Values are provided in the captions. This book is a must not only for prospective rug buyers, but also for everyone who admires the intricacy and beauty of Oriental rugs!

Finally, a guide to vintage chenille for the collector and designer. This book takes you on a rich visual tour of vintage chenille bedspreads manufactured from the 1920s through the early 1970s. Hundreds of these beautiful tufted spreads are shown as well as novelty items and clothing. Detail shots highlight manufacturing techniques and trace the change from handmade to machine manufacture. A price guide is included in the captions. An introduction acquaints readers with the wonderful story of chenille: its birth just over a century ago in the southern town of Dalton, Georgia, and the rise of Dalton to prominence in the tufted spread and later the carpet industry. This book helps fuel the recent rebirth of chenille in today's textile industry.

Sweetheart and Mother military pillow covers provide a point of departure for the study of World War I and II and the years of Civilian Conservation Corps camps of the twentieth century. Essentially, these important and often charming military collectibles have been overlooked in the past. This book offers invaluable information about individual bases and camps and distinguished military leaders as well as specific historical events. Through detailed captions and text that accompany 247 images, the reader will find meaningful connections to history at every turn. This book will be of great interest to textile enthusiasts, collectors of military artifacts, museums and students and teachers of history. The author discusses the types of fibers used to create these items, the names of their manufacturers, and origins of terms such as "Doughboy." Another fascinating part of some of the pillow covers is their poetry, which is offered, in its entirety. This one-of-a-kind landmark study of these objects of material culture will continue to be a valued resource in years to come.

This nostalgic look at children's costume, from 1860 to 1920, reveals diverse cultural influences on its manufacture and design. More than 300 historic photographs, fashion plates, and selections from vintage catalogs and magazines, plus 115 color images, show examples of costume and accessories. See infants in period dress plus school-aged and teen fads and trends. Learn about the history of clothing use and development, fabric types, conservation and storage of textiles, and artistic inspiration, all arranged by decade. All types of clothing are represented, including christening gowns; boys breeches, knickerbockers, and sack suits; swimwear and underwear; bloomers and blouses; fur, feather boas, and frocks; sailor suits and uniforms; collars and belts; capes and hoods; lingerie and dresses; sweaters and cardigans; overalls; and many more. Whether you are interested in clothing children wore in 1920 or to church in the Victorian era, this reference is a fun and evocative collection.

No matter if you are a long time aficionado of Art Deco and 20th Century design or a novice collector, this book is a must for you. Its purpose is to explain how you can display and group items from your collection to their maximum visual advantage regardless of whether that collection is large or small. Groupings by manufacturer, material, color, or function are all illustrated with over 120 stunning full color photographs, each with an accompanying diagram to explain the techniques used in their composition. In addition, over 1000 individual pieces shown are fully described and their values given in an accompanying price guide. These include furniture, lighting, pottery, glass, and a wide variety of decorative accessories that bring the Art Deco dA (c)cor to life. In the second half of the book you will go behind the closed doors of the homes of private collectors and have a unique opportunity to see how these techniques have been employed to incorporate Art Deco and 20th Century items into the interiors of today.

A beautiful, practical introduction to Oriental carpets for laymen, designers, and collectors, presented from the perspective of a successful, third-generation wholesaler. Using concise text, over 370 vivid color photographs, and more than 45 detailed line drawings, J.R. Azizollahoff explains the complexities, intricacies and irregularities in old handmade carpets and identifies the more important rug types. The combined text, photographs and drawings also bring to light what dealers look for and examine when evaluating an antique carpet. Also provided is a look at new carpets, which gives the reader a glimpse of the wonderful energy and creativity to be found in modern rugs. Approximate values, newly revised to reflect current prices, are included with the photographs as a helpful guide for consumers and collectors. The book's bibliography provides useful listings for further research.

Schiffer Publishing is pleased to bring out this entirely new edition of H.L. James classic study of the Navajo rug and the trading posts associated with each unique style. New information and an entirely different design help explain and display the beauty and craft of the Navajo Indians. Illustrated with 106 color images, many black-and-white photographs and drawings, and up-to-date price information, Post and Rugs traces the history of the Navajo rug and the impact the trading posts have had on its regionalization. There is also much background material on the Navajo people and their art.\nHere are design drawings showing elements characteristic of different weaving centers, superb color photographs of rugs typical of these centers, and detailed maps to the areas. Exquisite line drawings accompany the text showing all the steps in rug weaving, from the sheep to the finished rug. Also there is helpful advice on buying Navajo rugs and caring for them.

Quilting history encompasses much more than the final product--it is also the story of the people (women, men, girls, and boys) who lovingly stitched these beautiful and intricate objects. Just as a quilt is multi-layered, so too is the story each quilt tells. Featuring nearly 200 exquisite quilts--plus family stories and local history--this book provides a fascinating look at quilting traditions in York County, Pennsylvania, from 1790 to 1950. Included are appliquA (c), pieced, and signature quilts, fads and novelties (including crazy), crib and doll quilts, and a special chapter on quilt construction. York County's 250-year history is reflected in the quilting styles of those times. The quilts featured in this book include one made by the women of Bryansville for a young Civil War soldier, a highly original one made for a soldier returning from World War I, and an unusual one that includes fabric recycled from a lady's bustle. They are among those identified in the 1998-99 York County Quilt Documentation Project, which recorded nearly 1,600 quilts. This exceptional book will have immense appeal to all who appreciate the arts, history, and the creative expression stemming from generations of talented quilters.

If you love the designs, fabrics, and sheer beauty of 19th and early 20th century women's fashions, this book will be your guide and time machine. It presents over 450 enchanting color photographs of modern-day models wearing the dresses, waists, undergarments, and accessories of this elegant era, including daywear, sportswear, and formalwear. Unusual items such as fancy dress, aesthetic garments, and reform styles are explained and illustrated. This book will help both novice and expert collectors accurately identify and date their collections by evaluating the silhouette, construction, style, and details of fashionable garments. Sound advice for maintaining, laundering, and repairing them is also provided, as is an updated price guide.

This new book anticipates Virginia's 400th anniversary in 2007 by presenting over 270 beautiful historic quilts and ephemera in over 430 color and vintage photographs. From quilted armor of the 17th century to crazy quilts of the 19th century, these personal family and museum treasures include homespun work of slaves and fancy work of freed women and First Ladies. The eight Virginia-born U.S. presidents are each represented here, with work from George Washington's great great grandmother to quilting by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. The contents derive from the study of more than 3,000 quilts statewide that were meticulously examined by the Virginia Consortium of Quilters' Documentation Project. This book is an important contribution to quilting history and Virginia heritage, and will be inspirational today for enthusiastic sewers everywhere.

Revisit those family vacations of yore through these charming, colorful tablecloths and linens. These whimsical collectibles are fun "snapshots" of America's tourist industry from the 1920s through the 1960s, as captured by enthusiastic textile designers on boldly printed cloths. Over 300 color photographs showcase state and souvenir tablecloths, towels, aprons, and scarves, all with wonderful graphics of state-related themes, popular tourist attractions, and historic events. Includes information on dating your souvenir linens, an up-to-date price guide, and a resource list of major manufacturers. A special bonus, sure to please all crafters, is a chapter with easy suggestions for creating toys, clothes, and craft items from vintage souvenir linens. This is an invaluable resource for vintage kitchen textile collectors, interior designers, and everyone interested in these enduring examples of vintage American textile design.

Using over 450 vintage color photographs, this handsome album chronicles the pivotal years of rug hooking-from the 1950s through the mid-1980s. During this period, both women and men were enjoying the craft and hooking rugs in record numbers. From inside the halls of rug exhibits, readers will enjoy viewing the best that hookers of this era created. Included are lush floral motifs, Oriental-inspired patterns, intricate geometric designs, childhood themes, animal portraits, scenic landscapes, and so much more. A collector\s paradise, an interior decorator\s dream, a rug hooker\s heaven, these meticulously crafted rugs-available at auctions, antiques and collectibles shows, estate and tag sales, flea markets, and on-line-are highly sought after today. Also included is carefully compiled information about the most popular hooked rug pattern makers of the day and those that started "something new."

The effective preparation of garments for display is essential for exhibitions of contemporary and historical dress. Costumes not only need to be visually appealing but also fully supported and historically accurate. This book provides a comprehensive guide to mounting costumes from the eighteenth century to the present day. It includes methods for adapting and shaping figures to create historical silhouettes, constructing underpinnings and making replicas and toiles using inexpensive and simple techniques. A Practical Guide to Costume Mounting is an invaluable resource for conservators, historians and all those working with clothing in museums, private collections and throughout the fashion and theatre industries. Trained as a historical costume maker, author Lara Flecker is the textile display specialist at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. She has worked extensively with the museum's world-class costume collection, preparing garments for display. Her simple mounting methods are clearly explained and can be used by people with a wide range of experience, including those with few sewing skills.

Pleasing to the eye and gentle on the foot, few can resist the charm of a hand-hooked rug or ignore the fact that the prices of hooked rugs have steadily risen over the past 30 years. Sought after by collectors, antique dealers, rug hookers, textile enthusiasts, folk art lovers, and interior decorators, the rugs documented in this book, complete with over 400 color photos, make it a must-have for all who admire these versatile floor and wall coverings. Dividing the rugs into three age categories: antique, collectible, and contemporary, Jessie Turbayne tells you where to find hooked rugs, what to buy, and what to avoid, and gives tips on care and display. From high-end auctions and museum shows to shops, estate sales, on-line buying, and flea markets to the studios of today's most popular hooking artists, this long awaited and comprehensive work offers a hooked rug for every taste and pocketbook. Included is a price guide and inspiring chapter dedicated to hooking your own: another innovative way to build your collection.

An introduction to the design, production and use of luxury embroideries in medieval England (c. 1200-1530) In medieval Europe, embroidered textiles were indispensable symbols of wealth and power. Owing to their quality, complexity and magnificence, English embroideries enjoyed international demand and can be traced in Continental sources as opus anglicanum (English work). Essays by leading experts explore the embroideries' artistic and social context, while catalogue entries examine individual masterpieces. Medieval embroiderers lived in a tightly knit community in London, and many were women who can be identified by name. Comparisons between their work and contemporary painting challenge modern assumptions about the hierarchy of artistic media. Contributors consider an outstanding range of examples, highlighting their craftsmanship and exploring the world in which they were created. Published in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum

This beautifully illustrated book showcases over 300 elegantly designed paisley shawls woven in the Victorian era from 1830 through the early twentieth century. Shown in rich full color are the distinctive scrolled leaf designs on shawls of various sizes and fabric types from India, Scotland, France, Ireland, England, Italy, and Holland. The book is divided into two main sections: the first devoted to very long shawls and the second devoted to square and various size shawls. All feature intricate patterns and fine workmanship; many are rare, museum quality shawls. Includes an overview of shawl types and tips for selecting, cleaning, and storing shawls. This book is an invaluable tool for identifying the origins, dates, and values of paisley shawls. A must for vintage textile buyers, sellers, and collectors.

Sweet strawberries, bold florals, grandma's kitchen plaid, and state souvenir tablecloths: these are some of the images in this comprehensive reference guide for everyone who loves vintage linens. A wonderful, thoroughly researched pictorial reference guide with over 500 striking photographs of vintage tablecloths, period advertising and packaging, up-to-date values, and detailed captions. Organized by decades, the book covers the history of the printed tablecloth from the 1700s to the 1950s, and presents the social and political influences on period designs and styles. It includes sections on how to date your tablecloths, spotting reproductions, and information about major manufacturers. There are ideas for crafts you can make with your vintage linens, too. It is the ultimate tribute to the exuberant and creative spirit of the American tablecloth manufacturer. An invaluable, must-have resource for linen, tablecloth, and vintage textile collectors, interior designers, or anyone else interested in vintage linens.

The exquisite diversity of textiles in this book will fascinate all who behold them! Southeast Asian textiles have long been recognized on the world's international market as superb examples of textile art. This book explores their artistic significance, providing an overview of the various styles, designs, and decorative techniques through over 260 color photographs. It gives practical suggestions for collectors on how to care for, value, and use specimen textiles in the home. Chapters are devoted to batik (wax-resist decorative dyed cloths), ikat (bind-resist dyed and woven textiles), decoratively woven forms from stripes to tapestry, and beautifully embellished textiles with beadwork and embroidery. Southeast Asian language and technical terms are further explained in an extensive glossary. Textile designers will be inspired by the traditional and modern interpretations of design and symbols, including leaves, birds, animals, and mystical creatures. A price guide is included.