Beginner's Guide to Ottoman Embroidery
Ref:
1844481344
AuthorJoyce I Ross
Joyce Ross cannot remember a time when she did not stitch or knit. She loved art at schoold, but forsook it to gain a science degree and to teach in secondary schools. Like most girls of her generation, she married in her twenties and had a trousseau of embroidered linens sufficient to last several life times. With the advent of children came a certain exertise in dressmaking and an inordinate amount of voluntary work in the church and her community. She did, however, learn all manner of counted thread embroidery with the late Dorothy Martin. In 1984 she joined the Auckland Embroiderers' Guild and began to study part time at the Whitecliffe Art School, graduating in 1987. Since then she has exhibited compulsively, gaining a sprinkling of awards and selling sufficient to cover her costs. She has taught various forms of embroidery extensively in New Zealand, the USA and in Canada. ' I love colour and simple sttichery used in a painterly way. The artistry of the Ottoman embroideries, the changes over four centuries reflecting the changing life-styles, 'speak' to me.'
SummaryThere is a long, rich history of textiles and embroidery in Turkey, ranging from garments and accessories to furnishings and wallhangings.
There is a long, rich history of textiles and embroidery in Turkey, ranging from garments and accessories to furnishings and wallhangings. These often striking, beautiful works of art were not only confined to the Ottoman Empire, but they were in daily use in other areas too. Exquisite robes, kaftans and belts were worn by the people of the Court and soft furnishings adorned the halls of the palaces, but these amazing textiles were not only present in exalted society. They could be found everywhere, even in the humblest dwelling. Inspired by her visits to Turkey and all that she experienced there, Joyce Ross decided to research and study historic embroideries from that country. She soon became fascinated by the wonderful range of stitches, images and designs in the embroideries she found. Restricting her search to Turkish Ottoman embroidery, she realised that the textiles reflected the changing lifestyle of the Ottomans as other cultures influenced them. They were nomadic people who adapted many symbols from the countries with whom they came into contact. The earliest embroideries on cloth were made to emulate Italian brocades and the designs were all derived from plant forms, but they also incorporated shapes like the Buddhist 'flaming pearl' and Persian paisley designs. This book looks at the techniques of Ottoman embroidery, the fabrics, threads and colours that were used, the stitches and the designs. A Dictionary of Stitches describes a whole range of stitches from Bukhara self couching to needleweaving and Turkish punch stitch. Projects offer inspiring ideas for samplers, cards, coasters, bookmarks and more. A wonderful section on borders and motifs includes attractive border patterns used in 18th and 19th century Ottoman embroideries and motifs adapted from the pieces Joyce has studied. Joyce has written and brought together a great book packed with information, and has written it for all those 'for whom the love of beauty knows no boundaries'. It will encourage embroiderers and textile artists everywhere to look at the historical treasures we have around us, and inspire them to create their own original works of art.
No of pages64pp
FormatBC Paperback
PublisherSearch Press
ISBN1844481344
EAN9781844481347
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Price:
£9.99
