Since the invention of the jacquard loom in the 1800s, demand for the sumptuous fabric has remained on an all-time high. Because of this, the technology for producing jacquard has been constantly evolving and it is now easier than ever to produce and buy the densely textured, richly patterned cloth that has fascinated for centuries….
Category Archives: TEXTILES IN HISTORY
Intricately patterned and sumptuously textured, jacquard fabric has a luxurious quality that is hard to beat. In contrast with printed textiles, jacquard patterns are incorporated into the weave with a slight raise, giving them a long-lasting lustre and durability that resists fading or fraying over time. A modern take on the long tradition of brocade,…
Throughout the Arts and Crafts era a momentous revival of medieval ideas and aesthetics took place, leading to a whole new strand of art and design whose influence continues to be felt today. Led by the writer John Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelite painters, who championed the social structures and technical skills of medieval artists, the…
When people ask me about craftivism,* I love to talk to them about what’s happening now and who’s doing what here in the present. However, I also try and remember to make the point that craftivism is nothing new, as like with The AIDS Memorial Quilt, which I mentioned last week, many amazing craftivism projects…
After donation and beautification, notification is the third tenet of Craftivism.* Compared to the other two tenets, notification tends to garner the most discussion. Unsurprisingly, it is also the one most likely to hit people with the biggest punch, as it features a juxtaposition between the “soft” world of craft and the “hard” world of…
A painting depicting women inspecting silk, early 12th century, ink and color on silk, by Emperor Huizong of Song For hundreds of years, China tightly controlled the production and manufacture of silk, making it the most prized of all fabrics.’ The desire for silk created thousands of miles of trade routes as well as advances in…
The Fair Isle Jumper by Stanley Cursiter, 1923 Nothing says warmth like a cozy wool sweater but it took’ thousands of years of selective breeding to get it.’ Ancient’ sheep bear little resemblance to today’s wool sheep, selectively bred for their fine coats. Like other domestic animals, humans bred sheep for different traits to develop the breeds we…
Robe à la française, France, block-printed cotton, c. 1770. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Next in our history series is cotton. The history of cotton is the history of trade and industry with a lot of politics and economics thrown in. Now the most prevalent fabric in the world, it’s humble beginnings…
This will be the first in a series of blog posts where we will take a closer look at natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, and wool, and their journey through the ages. Today, natural fabrics can be found in all shapes, styles, and forms from basic undergarments to high end fashion. In decades past,…
In 1794, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. Perhaps no other historical fact has been so ingrained into my mind as this. Year after year, I would learn about the infamous cotton gin and it’s epic impact on America as we know it. The all-mighty cotton gin makes it seems that life, or proper living,…
Fencing Doublet. 1580. The Doublet jumped into the fashion scene around the middle of the 14th century. We are turning our attention to this article of clothing today to examine its essential role in fashion history. Doublets were worn for over 300 years and considered a staple in menswear. Although the shapes and cuts changed…
The Seven Sacraments. Rogier van der Weyden. 1445-50. We are turning our attention to the Gothic fitted dress today and its appearance throughout the mid-1300s until the mid-1400s. Our goal is to give an overview of this style while providing images as visual aids. Making your own is quite an ambitious undertaking, but it…
Portrait of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, oil on panel. Attributed to Steven van Herwijck. 1560s. Western European fashion experienced quite a change from 1550-1600. The Renaissance brought in a wave of art and culture that swept over Europe and is visible in the fashion of both men and women. Our clearest and most…
Today, we are focusing on a single artist in order to more carefully examine the Renaissance period. Titian created great works of art that featured highly expressive figures that exemplified the “rebirth” spreading throughout Italy and Europe. Titian’s figures graced his altarpieces, portraits, mythologies, and pastoral landscapes. Tiziano Vecillio (ca. 1488-1576), known as Titian, is…
Portrait of Giovanna degli Albizzi Tornabuoni. Domenico Ghirlandaio. c. 1488/1490, tempura on panel. The Portrait of Giovanna degli Albizzi Tornabuoni by Domenico Ghirlandaio captures the beauty of this young women and carries more meaning than one may suspect. The historical significance of this notable work of art from the Early Renaissance reveals insightful keys…
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