Textile Trails’ 2019 tour of Bhutan was scheduled to coincide with three festivals and to give even greater opportunities for immersion and hands-on learning.
As ever, we were warmly welcomed by our Bhutanese hosts across the country.
Recently I wrote about the imitation of shibori in embroideries on display in the exhibition China: Through the Lens of John Thomson at the National Textile Museum in Washington, DC (Textiles Imitating Textiles).
A few days ago, I was privileged to view the beautiful textiles submitted for Bhutan’s national textile competition and enjoyed another embroidery that beautifully portrayed textiles.
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I wrote previously about Textiles Imitating Textiles with reference to pieces in the exhibition China: Through the Lens of John Thomson at the National Textile Museum in Washington DC. Here are some more of the incredible pieces on display there for another fortnight. Continue reading
I am fascinated by cross-pollenations between textiles of different cultures (such as batik influenced by patola designs, or block-printed fabrics imitating Thai kit designs) as well as across media (such as stone carvings depicting patterning in clothing). In October, I finally made my first visit to the National Textile Museum in Washington DC, and saw the exhibition China: Through the Lens of John Thomson and found another skilled imitation of one textile technique in another textile medium. Continue reading
I have Air Asia to thank for discovering this museum: they cancelled my onward connection Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane and gave me a whole day to fill in KL. Continue reading
Beyond Koranur near Ooty, Tamil Nadu, these Toda women embroidered black and red synthetic yarn onto cream fabric to produce designs that look from a distance as if they are woven into the fabric.
These striking fabrics are produced by the Toda women living in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. Glancing only briefly at them in Ooty shops I had presumed the patterns were woven, but Continue reading
I had seen the process for shining indigo-dyed cloth in books, and was delighted to see it for real near Sapa. Continue reading
Hemp production and indigo dyeing are still practised by the Black Hmong around Sapa, as well as beautiful embroidery to embellish their outfits. Continue reading
A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a lovely visit to a village north of Bhuj and was given a brief lesson in the type of couching embroidery these women do so well. Continue reading
