#molas

Ocean sunfish (Mola mola)

Fishes of the World. Written by Hans Hvass. Illustrated by Wilhelm Eigener. Originally published in 1964.

Molas

Folk Art of the Cuna Indians

Ann Parker, Avon Neal

Clarkson Potter, New York 1977, 252 pages, 27,31x35,4cm, ISBN 9780517529119

email if you want to buy [email protected]

The extravagantly beautiful book that explores the wonderful folk art of the Cunan Indian women. Vividly colored panels are used to adorn blouses and are made from pieces of multicolored material cut and sewn into narrative and fantasy scenes.

Studies by means of photographs, captions, and text the elaborately designed applique panels that adorn the blouses of the Cuna Indian women of the San Blas Islands, examining their origins, their complex patterns, and the matrilineal culture in which they are produced

Molas

What They are, How to Make Them, Ideas They Suggest for Creative Applique

Rhoda L.Auld

Van Nostrand Reinhold,New York 1977, 112 pages, 31 color plates, over 150 b/w illustrations, ISBN 9780442203795

euro 25,00*

email if you want to buy :[email protected]

Molas, the appliqué stitchery folkcraft of the Cuna Indians of the San Blas Territory in Panama, have become familiar objects in recent years. This richly illustrated book,  describes their remote island dwellings located at the edge of the jungle, their fascinating society, and the story of how the mola, part of the traditional woman's costume, deveIoped slowly after trading ships began to make trade-goods cotton fabrics available in the mid-nineteenth century. For the craftsman or collector, the book details the range of authentic molas, from relatively simple two-color linear patterns to elaborate, multi-colored designs which depict native flora and fauna, the Indians' own myths and legends, or, frequently, aspects of the modern world such as astronauts, trademarks, political posters, and cigarette packages, all of which are rendered by the Cuna women with a fresh eye. Clear illustrations and instructions show how to make panels of two, three, four, and six basic colors and how to add other hues by means of inlay. They demonstrate that the currently prevalent idea that the Indians use the process known as reverse appliqué is a gross oversimplification. Other unsuspected techniques'are revealed, such as the use of discarded fabric from one mola panel in a second, nearly identical one with some colors reversed. A pair of panels of this sort ordinarily becomes the front and back of the same Indian garment.  The concluding chapter has suggestions for buying molas and simple ideas for using them in clothing and home decoration.

orders to:     [email protected]

twitter:                @fashionbooksmi

flickr:                   fashionbooksmilano

instagram:          fashionbooksmilano