Embroidered Textiles

The art of embroidery has been practiced for thousands of years.In the West, traditions have been at the mercy of trade and fashion,but in other regions embroidery continues to be rooted in ancientbeliefs and superstitions. This beautifully illustrated book examinesin detail the fascinating symbolism of the motifs and patterns thatgive life to these traditional textiles from around the world.

The global range is as remarkable as the variety of materialsand motifs on display. Each textile—from Sumatran sarong toGhanaian banner to Native American pouch and Guatemalantrousers—bears its own distinctive designs.

The book covers all aspects of the subject: key regional items,cuts, fabrics, stitches, and mythological, religious, and spiritualsymbols. Complete with a glossary, a dictionary of stitches, andinformation on public collections as well as how to collect textilesof one’s own, this is an unrivaled guide for anyone interested intextiles, costume, or craft.