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Textiles: The Whole Story: Uses, Meanings, Significance
A worldwide history for anyone with a passion for textiles and textile arts, whether creative, professional, or educational. There are few aspects of our lives―physical, emotional, spiritual―in which thread and fabrics do not play a notable part. Beverly Gordon reminds us memorably and movingly of the powerful significance of fabric throughout human history. Her study of textile art and history is combined with her own hands-on spinning silk from silk- worm cocoons, weaving cloth, and creating natural dyes.
The author bridges past and present from the Stone Age, when humans first learned to make cordage or thread, to twenty-first-century “smart fabrics,” which can regulate body temperature or measure the wearer’s pulse. Her discussion integrates art, science, history, and anthropology, and she draws on examples from around the globe.
A dazzling array of illustrations includes paintings and photographs of both historic and contemporary textiles and a broad collection of textiles being created, worn, and lived with. 250 full-color and 100 black-and-white illustrations
The author bridges past and present from the Stone Age, when humans first learned to make cordage or thread, to twenty-first-century “smart fabrics,” which can regulate body temperature or measure the wearer’s pulse. Her discussion integrates art, science, history, and anthropology, and she draws on examples from around the globe.
A dazzling array of illustrations includes paintings and photographs of both historic and contemporary textiles and a broad collection of textiles being created, worn, and lived with. 250 full-color and 100 black-and-white illustrations
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2011
22 people are currently reading
1296 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 24, 2012
I absolutely LOVED the aptly named TEXTILES: THE WHOLE STORY--the best book I've ever read on the subject--and I had a serendipitous encounter with its author which I will recount below.
Because of my interest in quilting, I was drawn to the book when I saw it at the library. Part scholarly book, part coffee table book, part textbook, this highly illustrated work is a non-chronological social and cultural history of textiles from their origins through contemporary times. Defining textiles in the broadest possible way--including rope, string, basketry, even fiber optic cable!, Beverly Gordon discusses their making and manufacture; fabric metaphors in language; how their uses have helped human beings survive; how they appear in every significant life event from birth to death around the world, imparting to each event social, spiritual, and cultural meaning; their connection with money, trade, status, and control; the "messages" they impart; and the spiritual and healing significance of making, wearing, and giving away cloth. This material could have been dry as dust, but the author's self-described "conviction and excitement about the meaning and power of textiles" are contagious, her writing is clear and un-academic, and her apparently encyclopedic knowledge of world cultures and how textiles are used in them provides a truly global perspective on a part of our daily life that we generally take completely for granted.
I was so engaged by this book and its fascinating examples that, halfway through it, I looked up the author on the internet and was amazed to see that Beverly Gordon is a recently retired professor from the Human Ecology Department at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where I also live. I looked closely at her photo on the Internet, surprised that in the 20 years we've shared a common community, I had never heard of her work or run across her. The very next day, I was at a local art opening, immediately recognized her in the audience from her online photo, and took the opportunity to tell her how much I was enjoying her book. What an odd coincidence to meet someone I'd never even heard of, the day after I had fallen in love with her book!
Here's a typical rich thought from her book: "Textile-making has a magical quality--it is a creative or generative process, associated with the life force--and the process can be comforting. It is an almost hypnotic, healing activity; engaging with the repetitive, rhythmic steps of sewing, knitting, weaving, and similar techniques create a sense of peace or calm. The action...is strengthened by the sensual pleasure of handling the thread or yarn, and watching a new form grow beneath one's hands."
Because of my interest in quilting, I was drawn to the book when I saw it at the library. Part scholarly book, part coffee table book, part textbook, this highly illustrated work is a non-chronological social and cultural history of textiles from their origins through contemporary times. Defining textiles in the broadest possible way--including rope, string, basketry, even fiber optic cable!, Beverly Gordon discusses their making and manufacture; fabric metaphors in language; how their uses have helped human beings survive; how they appear in every significant life event from birth to death around the world, imparting to each event social, spiritual, and cultural meaning; their connection with money, trade, status, and control; the "messages" they impart; and the spiritual and healing significance of making, wearing, and giving away cloth. This material could have been dry as dust, but the author's self-described "conviction and excitement about the meaning and power of textiles" are contagious, her writing is clear and un-academic, and her apparently encyclopedic knowledge of world cultures and how textiles are used in them provides a truly global perspective on a part of our daily life that we generally take completely for granted.
I was so engaged by this book and its fascinating examples that, halfway through it, I looked up the author on the internet and was amazed to see that Beverly Gordon is a recently retired professor from the Human Ecology Department at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where I also live. I looked closely at her photo on the Internet, surprised that in the 20 years we've shared a common community, I had never heard of her work or run across her. The very next day, I was at a local art opening, immediately recognized her in the audience from her online photo, and took the opportunity to tell her how much I was enjoying her book. What an odd coincidence to meet someone I'd never even heard of, the day after I had fallen in love with her book!
Here's a typical rich thought from her book: "Textile-making has a magical quality--it is a creative or generative process, associated with the life force--and the process can be comforting. It is an almost hypnotic, healing activity; engaging with the repetitive, rhythmic steps of sewing, knitting, weaving, and similar techniques create a sense of peace or calm. The action...is strengthened by the sensual pleasure of handling the thread or yarn, and watching a new form grow beneath one's hands."
June 13, 2017
Dense. This book is a catalog of the many ways textiles and culture interact with each other, and there are more of those than you ever imagined. Gordon's categories are placed into the broad areas of:
1. The very fabric of existence; Textiles in human consciousness
2. Living on the earth; Textiles and human survival
3. The ties that bind; The social meanings of textiles
4. Cloth and temporal power; Money, trade, status, and control
5. Cloth as communication; Expressing meaning, messages, and beauty
6. Textiles and the spirit; The sacred, spiritual, and healing significance of cloth
Unsurprisingly, there is much overlap, and Gordon does a good job of keeping categories as clear as possible. She cannot possibly cite every example in the history of the entire world for every point made - I'm sure she could not cite every example she herself knows. Her curation is also good. Sometimes I found her paragraph structure confusing. And this book cannot be recommended to anyone with less than an absolute passion for textiles and their meanings. However to the reader who has that passion, this book is a must.
1. The very fabric of existence; Textiles in human consciousness
2. Living on the earth; Textiles and human survival
3. The ties that bind; The social meanings of textiles
4. Cloth and temporal power; Money, trade, status, and control
5. Cloth as communication; Expressing meaning, messages, and beauty
6. Textiles and the spirit; The sacred, spiritual, and healing significance of cloth
Unsurprisingly, there is much overlap, and Gordon does a good job of keeping categories as clear as possible. She cannot possibly cite every example in the history of the entire world for every point made - I'm sure she could not cite every example she herself knows. Her curation is also good. Sometimes I found her paragraph structure confusing. And this book cannot be recommended to anyone with less than an absolute passion for textiles and their meanings. However to the reader who has that passion, this book is a must.
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February 9, 2025EVERYTHING IS CLOTH IT'S ALL FABRIC
September 14, 2014
First run-through: I plan to read this someday when I have lots more time than right now. I skimmed here and there and it looks to be interesting and well-written. I did look at all the pictures and read the captions, but for now it's too much, even in just 279 pages (+ notes, bibliography & index).
Well, I did get around to reading it all and it's very interesting, though at times too detailed for my interest. I do recommend it and play to re-read it in hopes I can absorb it better the second time. It covers a lot of aspects of textiles that I never thought of.
Chapters are: The very fabric of existence (textiles in human consciousness); Living on the earth (textiles and human survival); The ties that bind (the social meanings of textiles); Cloth and temporal power (money, trade, status, and control); Cloth as communication (expressing meaning, messages, and beauty); Textiles and the spirit (the sacred, spiritual, and healing significance of cloth).
Well, I did get around to reading it all and it's very interesting, though at times too detailed for my interest. I do recommend it and play to re-read it in hopes I can absorb it better the second time. It covers a lot of aspects of textiles that I never thought of.
Chapters are: The very fabric of existence (textiles in human consciousness); Living on the earth (textiles and human survival); The ties that bind (the social meanings of textiles); Cloth and temporal power (money, trade, status, and control); Cloth as communication (expressing meaning, messages, and beauty); Textiles and the spirit (the sacred, spiritual, and healing significance of cloth).
February 2, 2024
An informative, enchanting, accessible book about the beauty, utility, and meaning of fabric in our world. I appreciated the global examples and beautiful illustrations. I'll never look at a piece of fabric the same way again! If you're interested in the way fabric interweaves with our lives (pun intended), I would highly recommend this book.
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November 22, 2016I enjoy reading this book! Beverly Gordon approaches the textiles from spiritual direction, which makes the textiles more alive and sacred. I have learned so much culture/religion/political related textiles. After finished reading this book, I started to respect all the textiles and my clothes. I would say thank you to all my clothes because I know every textiles/threads/fabric has Sami (energy force/ Spirit/soul) in them. This book totally changed the way I looked at textiles. Every stitch has a meaning. Every textile art has its story. In the end, we are all connected!
March 10, 2015
A comprehensive book on the history of textiles that still feels accessible and interesting. Covers everything from the spiritual meanings of cloth in various religions to the state of the textile industry in today's global society. A great choice from one of our Crafternoon regulars!
August 13, 2013
I only looked at the pictures and read the captions--amazing and far-reaching!
April 9, 2013
This is a wonderful read for fiber folks, a bit of history, wonderful photos, I enjoyed it and recommend it, lending it to friends in weavers guild now, will donate it to my weavers guild library.
April 14, 2013
Amazing book. The breadth of this book is so much fun. Full of photos and very readable, though it takes awhile.
October 6, 2014
great postmodern cultural interpretation of textiles.
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May 31, 2015Excellent history and culture information. Re-reading it now.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews