Above: circa 1810 -20 gouaches of textile designs from the studio of an Alsace textile mill. Called Turkey Reds.
Above: These patterns were called mignonettes, for reasons that are probably obvious. 
Above: swatches sent to Christophe Philippe Oberkampf in 1791, confirming a textile order. Those who work in the fashion industry today know that some things haven't changed: although the rows of little numbered swatches that we see now aren't quite as captivating.
All from Susan Meller & Joost Elffers, Textile Designs, Thames and Hudson 1991. A fantastic reference for anyone interested in beautiful textiles and their social context.
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By the way, my work was recently featured in the brilliant Rojo and Garabato magazine from Spain! Do look at all of the issues if you have the time.
AND I was also recently interviewed in a special "Crafty Illustrators" edition of the Illustrators Australia members' magazine Outline. Daniel asked great questions (he certainly does his homework) and I learned alot from the two other women he interviewed as well.
I will attach the pdf of the magazine if someone out there can explain how to do it!
4 comments:
These ancient swatches look like beautiful collages to me.
Big congrats on the feature and the interview! I'd love to read it!
Hi Rigel, thank you! Yes it was a very interesting edition of the magazine -- I will ask around and see if I can find a way to upload it.
;)
Our first collection in our shop was inspired by those Turkey Reds (it's called the Turkey Red Collection), and those swatch books are amazing. I love the patterns all butting up against each other. I have a book (I refer to it as my textile bible): Textile Designs: 200 Years European and American Patterns (http://www.amazon.com/Textile-Designs-European-American-Organized/dp/0810925087/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294511761&sr=1-1). I think you'd really enjoy it! I constantly refer back to it.
Thanks Elizabeth! I will definitely look that book up. I could stare at those little textile swatches for hours, they're so beautiful.
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