Textile Folk Art

A practical and inspirational guide to textile folk art from cultures all around the world, accompanied by step-by-step projects.

From samplers and quilts in Europe, to tribal and nomadic cloth further afield in Mongolia and China, folk and traditional designs have played a crucial part in the development of textile art and craft. In this book, Anne Kelly explores the traditional motifs used in textile folk art and shows you how contemporary textile artists use these in their work today. The beautifully illustrated guide is also packed with helpful step-by-step projects that demonstrate how to apply folk motifs to your own work.

Drawing inspiration from the Far East to Scandinavia, artists and designers have often used folk art to influence their work. Beginning with the chapter ‘Samplers in Stitch’, Anne looks into handmade momentoes and souvenirs created in the UK and USA. Samplers as statement pieces are also explored and are contextualised within the role of women and children recording their personal histories and lives. ‘Nordic Notes’ then looks at Scandinavian traditional textile art, and how modern screen printing and embroidery have been used by contemporary makers. ‘Silk Road’ looks at the influence of nomadic cultures and textiles, including yurts in Mongolia and Miao folklore in China. Projects on how to make felt, pouched and jewellery are also covered. Lastly, ‘Trees of Life’ looks the motif of the tree in a variety of cultures. Anne also looks at traditional techniques from South Asia and how to create your own ‘Family Tree’ using photo transfers and appliqué.

Featuring step-by-step projects as well as work from contemporary artists and makers throughout, this practical and beautiful guide shows how practitioners of all kinds can draw from folk art for making and inspiration.