Fiber arts such as weaving, spinning and needlework have traditionally been considered domestic crafts. Yet the artists featured in this exhibition use these humble threads to transform and revolutionize their art-making practice.
From intricate embroidery tablecloths to felted mouse statues, these works of textile artistry demonstrate that textile techniques span an incredible variety of techniques and artists.
Embroidery
Embroidery is an art form which involves stitch-by-stitch decoration of fabric to communicate a message or add beauty. It can be monochromatic or vibrant and contrasting; monochrome designs may also be used to brand products by adding their company logo/monogram. Unlike printed designs which fade with washing, embroidery retains its colors and textures much longer.
People around the globe have used embroidery for millennia to express their beliefs and cultures through symbolism and embellishments. From Viking Age wealth markers to Renaissance royalty adornments, embroidery has always been used by both rich and poor to communicate their beliefs and cultures. From fossilized clothing dating back 30000 BC right up until modern day embroidery was popularly employed across cultures by both rich and poor alike.
Early embroidery patterns were composed of simple stitches such as backstitch and chain stitch. Over time, more complex techniques such as tent stitch, satin stitch, and cross stitch emerged. Women traditionally practiced this craft; by the 17th century many girls learned through pattern books how to stitch. Many would go on to work on samplers stitching designs or bits of history for future generations.
In the 1500s, English embroidery was heavily influenced by Blackwork or “Spanish Work,” an embroidery style practiced in Spain that often featured stylized plant and floral motifs crafted with silk thread.
This period’s embroidery reflected Europe’s artistic revolution, emphasizing decorative aesthetics and stylized abstraction rather than storytelling illustrative embroidery, thus opening new avenues for this ancient craft.
Weaving
Weaving is the art of intertwining flexible yarns (weft) at right angles to each other to form textiles. Commonly done on a loom, weaving is one of the oldest fiber arts techniques and was initially employed for practical uses like blankets, robes and clothing before later being developed artistic tapestries to communicate cultural identity or express ideas.
Weavers use an array of tools, from simple needles to elaborate looms. Early needles were likely made of bone or ivory; evidence shows wood spikes may have also been employed at one point. Modern fiber artists now enjoy access to sharps, blunts and in betweens for weaving, embroidery, crochet and knitting projects.
Initial weaving techniques were fairly basic, with most weft threads being manually threaded through warp threads by hand. Later on, people turned to looms to speed up this process and add more intricate patterns and designs – with complex looms having multiple warp and weft threads which could be independently controlled, creating intricate motifs or designs.
Textile art encompasses processes that alter fabric, such as dying and printing. Dyeing is a widely utilized technique, and there are various dye types available to create unique colors. One significant historical development in this area was yuzen dyeing developed in Japan to decorate kimonos.
Some forms of fiber arts have seen their popularity fluctuate over time, while others remain constant throughout history. Macrame was especially prominent during Victorian England before falling out of fashion until reappearing again during the 1970s. Fiber arts remain timeless forms of creative expression which anyone who appreciates using their hands can enjoy while honoring traditions that date back millennia.
Knitting
Knitting involves stitching thread together using needles to form fabric that can then be used for clothing, blankets and hats. Knitting has historically been considered an art that passed down from generation to generation – some believe that its origin may lie somewhere in the Middle East before eventually spreading throughout Europe through wool traders – eventually even becoming so popular that knitting guilds were formed!
Knitting has always been an artful means of cultural expression. Different patterns represent family heritage and social status in different cultures, often becoming highly valued heirlooms.
Now more than ever before, fiber artists can use their knitting skills to craft stunning art works that can be displayed in museums and galleries. Swatches to sweaters – the possibilities are limitless when using two basic stitches — knit and purl — combined together can create cables, ruchings, beadwork openwork lace patterns. Many women have developed newer techniques through adapting traditional stitches handed down from previous generations.
Needle technology has changed greatly throughout history. While early needles were likely composed of bone or ivory, wood or plant spikes likely also saw use at some point in history. Today’s needles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes; many even look like ancient bone tools used during Paleolithic Era! Modern fiber artists today can use cotton, silk, polyester and paper thread needles when sewing their yarn together for maximum effect – each playing an essential part in producing finished products with an elegant aesthetic and feel.
Sewing
Sewing has always been an integral component of human life. Evidence of sewing dates back as far as the Paleolithic Era when skills for lashing fabrics together for clothing and shelter may have evolved from sinew and leather strips.
Early needles likely consisted of bone, with other materials like wood spikes being possibly utilized as well. Needles first appear in Europe during Magdalene and Solutrean periods; size differences among these early needles suggests that sewing’s invention was simultaneous across Eurasia.
Early sewing techniques focused on basic construction techniques like seaming and hemming. By the Middle Ages, embroidery had evolved into a highly refined art with intricate designs decorating clothing, tapestries and household goods. Later came along Jacquard weaving looms which allowed more complex fabrics to be produced quickly in record time.
As sewing and embroidery became more prevalent, their use increased accordingly, with natural and synthetic threads becoming the standard in clothing, blankets and textile products. Cotton and wool became prevalent fibers for sewing as an artistic form. This provided sewing with new opportunities as an artistic form.
Sewing experienced a revival during both World Wars, as people made do with less. Patchwork, applique and other techniques such as indigo dyeing extended wardrobe life while increasing household textile usage. Sewing became even more of an art form with the invention of special purpose sewing machines such as those by Brother. Shibori and indigo dying techniques gave sewing greater artistic depth than ever. Nowadays sewing can be found across an array of styles from simple to extravagant – as can be seen today with its revival!
Felting
Felting, one of the oldest fiber arts techniques, dates back millennia. Wet felting, said to predate weaving and knitting techniques, may even predate St. Clement who accidentally discovered needle felting while trying to make his sandals more comfortable by adding tow to them and finding that his moisture combined with friction created cloth-like fibers that formed. Needle felting is more modern form that involves using triangular-shaped needles for pushing wool fibers together without water; creating anything from hats and bags to 3D animal sculptures!
Sewing has long been recognized as an invaluable tool in fiber art techniques. First used during the Paleolithic period as a survival tactic against nature, sewing has long been considered one of the most practical skills of its time.
Sewing has played an integral part in fiber art’s history as an avenue to communicate information between generations. Many families kept a sampler to show their children all of the stitches and designs learned during family history lessons; samplers remain popular forms of fiber art today in many homes around the country.
Felting is one of the densest fiber arts, and can be used to create clothing, accessories and home decor items of a wide variety. Often embellished with organic or man-made objects for symbolic effect. Furthermore, felting can also be used to create abstract or representational works of art as well as garments with an unusual feel – particularly clothing where soft yet durable wearables can be created using felting techniques.