Quilting, Patchwork & Appliqué

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Review

The two authors of this book take a broad "British" view of textile culture, examining examples from all over the world. Caroline Crabtree is an embroidery artist and co-author of "Beadwork: A World Guide". Christine Shaw taught patchwork, quilting and dyeing for many years, and is an active quilt artist. Unlike many publications on historic or contemporary quilts, this book does not discuss bedspreads that have mutated into an art form, but studies the diverse manifestations of three textile techniques: quilting, patchwork, and appliqué. This applies to the types of material used – from raffia fibres to fish skins – as well as the techniques, which include production of household items, through protest banners, to religious and ritual objects. The authors' objective is to trace the development of the various regional styles and their cultural significance. This has produced a most interesting book, which discusses its subject matter in three chapters: 1) Materials, 2) Uses, and 3) Construction. The first describes objects made of cotton, linen, wool and felt, silk and velvet, leather and fish skin, plant fibres, synthetic yarns, ribbons and braids, and printed fabrics. The chapter concludes with a section on dyes and dyed fabrics.
The second chapter provides readers with an overview explaining how the three aforementioned techniques can be used for decorative purposes in the home, on bags, and on other containers, and includes a section on recycling. This is followed by examples of clothing for all ages, occasions, and professional groups, as well as a section on flags, banners, and objects for other religious or political occasions.
The final chapter introduces various techniques, from Indian quilting to Japanese sashiko or Italian trapunto, the Central American mola technique, and the fine appliqué work of the Hmong in Thailand. Naturally, this section also gives ample space to other European and North American variants of the technique.
The book concludes by offering hints for collecting and looking after such objects. The appendix contains a brief glossary, a list of the museums in the field worldwide – most of them with an ethnographic bias – and a comprehensive bibliography.

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