This book gathers a collection of multidisciplinary essays written by distinguished scholars, visual artists, and writers. The common thread of these essays addresses the ways in which fiber arts have enriched and empowered the lives of women throughout the world. From Ancient Greece to the Holocaust, to the work of grassroots organizations, these essays illustrate the universality of fiber arts.

1.6 Million African American Quilters is a handy, eye-opening booklet about today's Black quilt makers: Latest quilt industry figures, including number of Black quilters nationally; most comprehensive resource of websites, blogs, and YouTube videos featuring African American quilters and guilds. Also included in the more than 270 references are selected textile artists, doll makers, fabric designers, and quilters from the African diaspora; six afro-centrically designed art quilt blocks by Washington, D.C. artist Francine Haskins; and bibliographic references, many annotated, for selected books, articles, exhibit catalogs, dissertations, papers, and films about Black quilters.

A powerful way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, this book reminds us of its impact and each of its 30 principles, using intriguing art quilts. Sometimes taking us by surprise, the 75 textile artists visualize the global struggle for human rights with their interpretations of the Declaration, ratified in 1948, which represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are innately entitled. The 91 works themes include the first recorded initiation of human rights in Persia in 539 BCE, the plight of child soldiers and child brides, unlawful incarceration, the right to privacy, fair labor practices, torture, and the right of all world citizens to food, education, shelter, and healthcare. Together with the text of each Rights Declaration article, a message from the artist explains each quilts inspiration and meaning.

This high-powered mix for all who make and appreciate contemporary art quilting is the second installment of the creativity-inspiring series Exploring Art Quilts with SAQA, which blends book-and-journal format with over 300 photos revealing today's latest works and designs. It also serves as a long-term creative reference. Be inspired by interviews, gorgeous art quilt photos, and current creations by members of Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA), the renowned international organization dedicated to promoting the art quilt. Meet 12 artists living around the world, including stories on their beginnings as art quilters. Peer at every detail in photos from five of SAQA's recent exhibitions, showing the range of content being produced today. A series of articles examine art being made in various locales: Australia & New Zealand, Norway, and South Africa are included in this volume. Finally, learn from the work of SAQA's Juried Artist members in seven themed image galleries highlighting the range and complexity of their art.

This collection of fifteen papers ranges from the author's initial interest in the Tapestry as a source of information on early medieval dress, through to her startling recognition of the embroidery's sophisticated narrative structure. Developing the work of previous authors who had identified graphic models for some of the images, she argues that not just the images themselves but the contexts from which they were drawn should be taken in to account in 'reading' the messages of the Tapestry. In further investigating the minds and hands behind this, the largest non-architectural artefact surviving from the Middle Ages, she ranges over the seams, the embroidery stitches, the language and artistry of the inscription, the potential significance of borders and the gestures of the figures in the main register, always scrutinising detail informatively. She identifies an over-riding conception and house style in the Tapestry, but also sees different hands at work in both needlecraft and graphics. Most intriguingly, she recognises an sub-contractor with a Roman source and a clownish wit. The author is Professor of Anglo-Saxon Culture at The University of Manchester, UK, a specialist in Old English poetry, Anglo-Saxon material culture and medieval dress and textiles.

"Marseille: The Cradle of White Corded Quilting," which accompanies an exhibition of the same name, traces the origins and the commercial development of "broderie de Marseille" needlework. During the seventeenth century these supple, all-white corded and quilted furnishings--from bedcovers to quilted bodices and caps--grew out of the thriving textile trade centered on France's Mediterranean port of Marseille as adaptations of popular foreign textile products. "Broderie de Marseille" is a form of three-dimensional textile sculpture using plain white cloth and white cotton cording, deftly manipulated with needle and thread to reveal patterns highlighted by the resulting play of light and shadow on the textile surface. Skillful execution of "broderie de Marseille" resulted in delicate, refined work that graced the homes and figures of aristocrats and launched a worldwide passion for all-white corded needlework. The quilted works were filled with imagery expressing contemporary cultural values, such as folk legends, heraldic devices and royal monograms (bedcovers), and floral wreaths and fruits symbolizing good fortune and fertility (wedding quilts). Contemporary versions, today often referred to commercially as "matelasse," are machine made and thus lack the personal skills and intimate connections to the work represented by the confections of the original needleworkers. In this richly illustrated monograph Kathryn Berenson has exhaustively researched the fascinating story through a broad range of historical records, including household inventories, letters, commercial documents, and literary references.

An exquisite and authoritative look at four centuries of quilts and quilting from around the world Quilts are among the most utilitarian of art objects, yet the best among them possess a formal beauty that rivals anything made on canvas. This landmark book, drawn from the world-renowned collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, highlights the splendor and craft of quilts with more than 300 superb color images and details. Fascinating essays by two noted scholars trace the evolution of quilting styles and trends as they relate to the social, political, and economic issues of their time. The collection includes quilts made by diverse religious and cultural groups over 400 years and across continents, from the Mediterranean, England, France, America, and Polynesia. The earliest quilts were made in India and the Mediterranean for export to the west and date to the late 16th century. Examples from 18th- to 20th-century America, many made by Amish and African-American quilters, reflect the multicultural nature of American society and include boldly colored and patterned worsteds and brilliant pieced and appliqued works of art. Grand in scope and handsomely produced, Four Centuries of Quilts: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection is sure to be one of the most useful and beloved references on quilts and quilting for years to come. Published in association with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Exhibition Schedule: Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg (06/07/14-May 2016)

Ottoman Dress and Design in the West is a richly illustrated exploration of the relationship between West and Near East through the visual culture of dress. Charlotte Jirousek examines the history of dress and fashion in the broader context of western relationships with the Mediterranean world from the dawn of Islam through the end of the twentieth century. The significance of dress is made apparent by the author's careful attention to its political, economic, and cultural context. The reader comes to understand that dress reflects not simply the self and one's relation to community but also that community's relation to a wider world through trade, colonization, religion, and technology. The chapters provide broad historical background on Ottoman influence and European exoticization of that influence, while the captions and illustrations provide detailed studies of illuminations, paintings, and sculptures to show how these influences were absorbed into everyday living. Through the medium of dress, Jirousek details a continually shifting Ottoman frontier that is closely tied to European and American history. In doing so, she explores and celebrates an essential source of influence that for too long has been relegated to the periphery.

This ebook helps you create your own impressive interlaced Celtic baskets, hearts and stars, with Angela Madden's tried and trusted technique. No artistic expertise or geometry is needed. Just print the patterns straight from this CD and follow Angela's clear instructions. There are 12 different baskets, 6 basket handles, 5 heart patterns and a star - giving a host of different design possibilities. Angela also gives useful examples to help you make those important decisions about which quilting and needlework techniques to use with your Celtic motifs. This is an indispensable collection for anyone wishing to draft their own Celtic designs.