World Textiles: A Visual Guide to Traditional Techniques

by John Gillow, Bryan Sentance

A complete guide to the whole range of traditional handmade textiles from all corners of the globe. The history of the world can be read in the rise of civilizations and the fall of empires are woven into their warp and weft along with the great stories of conquest, religion, and trade. The legacy of textile design, form, and pattern that has resulted from this global endowment can be seen here in all its spectacular richness. Eight sections cover every aspect of materials and techniques, each giving a succinct summary of characteristics, production, and geographical distribution, accompanied by hundreds of color illustrations and drawings. Nonloom and loom-woven textiles, painted and printed, dyed, sewn, embroidered, and embellished techniques are all covered, as well as the materials themselves. From simplethe clothes made of skin or hide in prehistoric timesto complexmaterials elaborately embellished with tasselsworld textiles are both beautiful and beguiling. This unrivaled guide is completed by a glossary, further reading, and information on collections open to the public. 778 illustrations, 551 in color. 778 illustrations, 551 in color

Genres: Art, Crafts, History, Reference, Nonfiction, Art Design

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mircah Foxwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting introduction to textiles. First, types of materials are overviewed. Then techniques for creating textiles are explored, including both non-loom and woven textile making techniques. Dyes and techniques for sewing, embroidery and embellishment are also discussed.

What makes the book particularly interesting are the many photographs that provide examples, including historic fabrics as well as fabrics and costuming from around the world. If you like fabrics, this is delightful to flip through.

Clearly, there is a lot more that could be said about the many materials, techniques and textiles that are shown, but this book is a good jumping off point for learning about the diversity of textiles.

[NoBeatenPath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing resource and has something for anyone with even a passing interest in textiles - the materials that go in to making them, the methods for making them, how they are used, how they are embellished. Lavishly illustrated and incorporating textiles across the globe, this book is a great reference.

[Mansour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book to browse.
Worth it for textile fans, but not a complete reference.

[A. Reiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricately detailed. Fascinating summary of humanity’s innovative ability to clothe, decorate, celebrate, and protect its beloved.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on textile techniques higly recommended

[Joumana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no particular interest in textiles until my collecting of traditional handicrafts during my travels led me to pick up some made by various tribes, creating instant fascination. There was a whole new world for me, and while I started recognizing particular touches, I couldn't fathom the technical aspect. In parallel, I was researching ethnic dress and frequently came across descriptions of textiles that didn't ring any bells. And then I found this wonderful book... Every kind of textile ever made on the planet is covered. The eight sections cover respectively: Materials (from skin to leaf fibres), non-loom textiles (crochet, braids, lace...), Loom-woven textiles (from tabby weave to tablet weaving), Dyes (meaning dyeing techniques such as wax-resist, etc), Sewing (sewn ornaments such as appliqué, etc), Embroidery (different types of stitches) and Embellishment (from metal thread to feathers). The table of contents alone is breathtaking, and the book then proceeds with abundant illustrations taken from around the globe. Each spread treats of one technique, and along with the photos is a diagram that explains better than 1000 words the technical aspect, for instance the relationship between weft and warp in loom-woven textiles. The publication is both beautiful and enlightening, an exploration of techniques but also of cultural preferences, and a source of inspiration for textiles artists and fashion designers as well as fantasy world-builders. One only regrets that only one spread is dedicated to each technique, but let's be fair: the book achieves exactly what it meant to achieve, and that's over 100 techniques – taking up more space would make it of another scope and budget. It's surprisingly affordable for such an all-inclusive, richly illustrated volume. And I now feel a lot less dumb on the subject of textiles.

[Jo Bennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillow and Sentence have brought their wealth of experience and learning to create a wonderful well organised book that describes in well written words, full colour photographs and line drawings, pretty much every kind of textile art there is.
They divide the contents into 8 sections: materials, non-loom textiles, loom-woven textiles, dyes, sewing, embroidery and embellishment, then each section then is divided further into individual double page spreads covering single subject areas. There is some repetition given cross overs but very little and the book is worked chronologically, so if a subject is covered in a previous section it is only touched on and referred back to.

What I really loved was that this book isn't just pictures, the authors skillfully write a precis of every technique which is easy to understand and concise, not easy given just how complex each subject is and they are giving each only a double page spread.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious.

[Mikal · Rating 5 out of 5]

778 illustrations, 551 in color! Great text, too.