#pattern books

Decorative Sunday

Here are some architectural designs from The City and Country Builder’s and Workman’s Treasury of Designs by English garden designer Batty Langley (1696-1751), printed for and sold by Samuel Harding in London in 1745. The designs are for floors, ceilings, cabinets, and frames engraved in copper by Langley's brother Thomas Langley (1702-1751) after Batty Langley's drawings. Our copy is the 3rd edition, with the first printed by Jacob Ilive for Batty Langley in 1740. It would continue to be published through multiple editions to 1777.

View more posts from books by Batty Langley.

I have a pattern book. My daughter gave it to me a couple of years ago, at my request. She hoped to see what I could do with it.

The author, who seems to be the only loom knitter to create stuffie patterns, self-published her book. Not a bad thing... if you have a good sense of graphic design or someone who can help you with it. This author didn't. Many pictures of techniques were too small to see details. I ended up resorting to her videos for clarity.

I have tried this pattern too many times and haven't gotten past the head. I've frogged back over a half-dozen times. I've changed looms three times and yarn twice. I've bought different stitch markers (needed particularly for the ears). I'm ready to give up.

The V&A Sourcebook of Pattern & Ornament

Amelia Calver

Thames & Hudson V&A, London 2021, 400 pages,  26 x 22 cm,  1146 Illustrations, ISBN  9780500480724

euro 52,00

email if you want to buy [email protected]

A richly illustrated sourcebook of two-dimensional pattern and three dimensional ornamentation, presenting more than 1,000 historic and contemporary examples from around the world

The wealth of surface pattern and three-dimensional ornamentation in the many objects that enrich our lives is testament to the inventiveness of designers and craftspeople around the globe and throughout history. This richly illustrated, easy-to-navigate sourcebook presents more than 1,000 historic and contemporary examples of pattern and ornamentation from around the world, each one succinctly identified and explained. Arranged thematically, it is unique among pattern books, as it includes examples not only of surface pattern but also of three-dimensional ornamentation and embellishment. Two-dimensional pattern is ubiquitous, no matter what the age of an object or where it was created. From Japanese kimono and William Morris fabrics to Chinese porcelain and contemporary furniture, such works reveal humanity’s unceasing desire to combine pattern with design. Just as prevalent are examples of three-dimensional embellishments that go far beyond the requirements of their practical use: an acrylic handbag has a carved motif of insects and wildflowers, a cobalt-blue pottery ewer has a dragon’s-head spout and an early 19th-century fruit plate is shaped like a seashell. Designers working today are as fascinated and inspired by pattern and ornament as they have always been. This expertly compiled selection will appeal to designers, artists, illustrators and other creatives from all disciplines as well as anyone interested in visual and material culture.

24/12/21

orders to: [email protected]

ordini a: [email protected]

twitter: @fashionbooksmi

I finally got these in the mail (media mail is THE WORST) and had a chance to look through.

I can sort of see why one person on Amazon thought the 1930s book didn't have enough 'interesting' projects. I'd argue that the 3 lingerie patterns and 2 evening dress patterns were totally worth it (ignore the person complaining about not enough bias cuts...there are plenty). It doesn't have the most wearable together items - if you're buying it to create a wardrobe, I'd just get it from the library to check out what's there. It does have a nice day dress pattern, though. And the playsuit is adorbs.

I'd say the two that'll give you better wardrobe building capabilities based on the patterns included are the 1920s and 1940s books. The 40s one is pretty strictly wartime fashion - no early New Look here. If you're looking for lingerie patterns, you do get one for french knickers. I wish they'd included a slip, but those aren't super hard to find elsewhere. It feels like the author made an effort to create a book of patterns that will help you create a whole wardrobe, from day wear to evening.

Looking for a new hobby to take up during the quarantine? You could do baking, finally pick up that ukulele you bought years ago, or perhaps take up a hobby that has experienced quite the resurgence in the past 5-10 years, needlepoint!  Taking a cue from #ColorOurCollections, we’re offering #CrossStitchOurCollections! All of the patterns we’ll be sharing come from books in our collections and we welcome you to make a sampler or craft a design using these historic resources. 

Some of our staff will be doing this also and we’ll share our work. If you are inclined, please join in and share your work with us -- we’d love to see and feature it!

Thanks to our colleague @les-bibliotheques​ for the lovely idea and for pulling all this together!

Here’s our first selection

Johann Friedrich Netto, Taschenbuch der Strick- Näh- und anderer weiblichen Arbeiten : ein nöthiges Bedürfniss und Geschenk für junge Frauenzimmer : nebst einer vollstängiden und gründlichen Anweisung zum sogennanten Englisch-Zeichnen, oder der neuen Art die Wäsche zu nummeriren, statt der sonst gewöhnlichen mit Kreuzschenschrift. Leipzig: J.C. Hinriche, 1802.

Special Collections General & Rare TT 753 .N48 1802