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5,000 Years of Textiles
5,000 Years of Textiles is an authoritative reference and a visual delight, with examples from the Far East to the Americas, from Africa to Scandinavia, and from Egyptian artifacts dating from 3000 BC to the most up-to-date modern craftwork and furnishings. The book includes an expert guide to nine fundamental textile techniques, from rug weaving and tapestry to felt and bark cloth. Each is clearly explained, using line drawings and close-up color details from actual textiles, to show how people from many different traditions have made and decorated cloth through the centuries. The breathtaking wealth of illustrations drawn from major collections all over the world includes costumes, period interiors, archival photographs, and a vast range of fabrics, from the simplest handwoven cloths to sumptuous brocades and exquisite embroidery.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2016
4/20/16
I had to read all the chapters on non-Western textiles for a class I took this semester and I have to say this book is brilliant. I like the 1993 version better than the most recent edition even though the text is smaller. My favorite chapters in this book were the "Carpets of the Middle and Far East", The Survey of Ancient Textiles in part II, "Byzantine Silks", "French Silks" (read outside of class), and "Native North America". This book is a wonderful way to learn about textile techniques and also see examples of textiles. Sometimes, I wished there would be more information about a certain textile or group but that's the beauty of the internet in this day and age; I can just look it up further. I'm really pleased with this book and I can't wait to share all the knowledge I have learned.
I had to read all the chapters on non-Western textiles for a class I took this semester and I have to say this book is brilliant. I like the 1993 version better than the most recent edition even though the text is smaller. My favorite chapters in this book were the "Carpets of the Middle and Far East", The Survey of Ancient Textiles in part II, "Byzantine Silks", "French Silks" (read outside of class), and "Native North America". This book is a wonderful way to learn about textile techniques and also see examples of textiles. Sometimes, I wished there would be more information about a certain textile or group but that's the beauty of the internet in this day and age; I can just look it up further. I'm really pleased with this book and I can't wait to share all the knowledge I have learned.
August 31, 2018
Well organized and a lot of pictures and information.
It covers the technologies and brief introduction. And its social history and how it evolve. Detailing each part of the globe from mediteranian, asian, europe and america.
It covers the technologies and brief introduction. And its social history and how it evolve. Detailing each part of the globe from mediteranian, asian, europe and america.
April 21, 2018
Read or skimmed maybe half. It took me too long to actually get to it, while sitting at the bottom of my pile, before I could no longer renew it. I went in search of a book on textiles to see what I could learn of the history of making clothing. The question wasn’t quite answered but I did enjoy the information on how culture influences designs.
December 20, 2013
Finally-a textile history book with color photographs! I'm a textile history nerd who enjoys research on the origins of technique and early history esp. of knitting (but other fiber arts as well!).
Don't expect this book to go into great detail in each division of fiber. The book is actually edited by Jennifer Harris, in which guest writers wrote in for their specialized subject. There's not much on knitting or crochet, but you are given a few examples and a good sum up of the history of each. There is a lot of attention & detail paid to weaving and embroidery. As someone who hasn't yet tried my hand at either, I found the descriptions accessible and interesting. I came away with a better understanding of many woven fabrics.
Personally, I've really enjoyed reading this tome- it's not as dry as Sir Richard's History of Hand Knitting and the photographs are much more satisfying than other publications. In fact, they're lovely!
The book is divided by geographical location and bills itself as an international history, but mostly as an illustrative survey of global textiles. The entire globe and 5,000 years may be a stretch, but it's edited for brevity and known relevance.
Who's going to enjoy this? Fiber Art Nerds & History Buffs & Fiber Artists looking into a brief survey of technique spanning time & place.
Don't expect this book to go into great detail in each division of fiber. The book is actually edited by Jennifer Harris, in which guest writers wrote in for their specialized subject. There's not much on knitting or crochet, but you are given a few examples and a good sum up of the history of each. There is a lot of attention & detail paid to weaving and embroidery. As someone who hasn't yet tried my hand at either, I found the descriptions accessible and interesting. I came away with a better understanding of many woven fabrics.
Personally, I've really enjoyed reading this tome- it's not as dry as Sir Richard's History of Hand Knitting and the photographs are much more satisfying than other publications. In fact, they're lovely!
The book is divided by geographical location and bills itself as an international history, but mostly as an illustrative survey of global textiles. The entire globe and 5,000 years may be a stretch, but it's edited for brevity and known relevance.
Who's going to enjoy this? Fiber Art Nerds & History Buffs & Fiber Artists looking into a brief survey of technique spanning time & place.
September 30, 2023
International history and illustrated survey
Editor Jennifer Harris at the time of publication, Deputy Director and Curator of Textiles at the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester, England.
To describe this book would take a book. It covers different textiles from ancient societies to the present day. Twenty-four experts describe not only techniques but the meaning of the art in each culture. My favorite section is the first chapter which shows different types of looms. I was a little disappointed not to find any drafts; however, the book is concentrating on culture.
This book also has a list of further reading and an extensive glossary.
The color plates alone are worth the purchase price.
Editor Jennifer Harris at the time of publication, Deputy Director and Curator of Textiles at the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester, England.
To describe this book would take a book. It covers different textiles from ancient societies to the present day. Twenty-four experts describe not only techniques but the meaning of the art in each culture. My favorite section is the first chapter which shows different types of looms. I was a little disappointed not to find any drafts; however, the book is concentrating on culture.
This book also has a list of further reading and an extensive glossary.
The color plates alone are worth the purchase price.
September 7, 2017
Informative textbook. Great read to build baseline knowledge for someone who's getting started on the textile journey--manufacturing and selling--like myself. This is probably one of the must-reads, actually, but there are several on textile design, but this one is comprehensive enough to be step 1.
Want to read
January 1, 2013Must-have reference book.
January 1, 2025
Skimmed. Seems very comprehensive- textbook style depth.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews