Paisley – The Motif An easily recognized motif, Paisley, is one of many variations.  The name “Paisley” is associated with the Scottish city where woven Paisley shawls were manufactured to replace the costly Indian cashmere shawls, which were imported for the very wealthy European market.  However, the motif originated in India as “Butah “ (Buteh)…

Indigo What aesthetic elements are essential in the creation of fabulous textiles?  Pattern, Texture, Color.  Without these elements cloth would be merely utilitarian. In my blog “The Red That Colored the World”, June 7, 2015 I told of an exhibition currently at the Museum of International Folk Art featuring textiles dyed with cochineal.  Today, the…

Indigo What aesthetic elements are essential in the creation of fabulous textiles?  Pattern, Texture, Color.  Without these elements cloth would be merely utilitarian. In my blog “The Red That Colored the World”, June 7, 2015 I told of an exhibition currently at the Museum of International Folk Art featuring textiles dyed with cochineal.  Today, the…

Off the Rack or Custom Tailored? Originally, all clothing was “custom” made.  Made in the household, altered to be passed down from child to child.  Centuries later, clothing was still custom made by professional dressmakers and tailors.  Today, custom clothing can still be made by tailors and dressmakers for special occasions.  Suits for gentlemen can…

Off the Rack or Custom Tailored? Originally, all clothing was “custom” made.  Made in the household, altered to be passed down from child to child.  Centuries later, clothing was still custom made by professional dressmakers and tailors.  Today, custom clothing can still be made by tailors and dressmakers for special occasions.  Suits for gentlemen can…

Cochineal Many think natural dyes are only from vegetable sources.  However, in the red family of dyes there is murex purple from a mollusk, cochineal, kermes and lac from insects. When the Spanish came to the New World they discovered natives dying their weavings a brilliant red.  The dye was obtained from outer exoskeleton of…