Stitch and Pattern

The hugely accomplished textile artist Jean Draper gives an invaluable guide to designing and working with pattern in textile art.

Jean goes back to basics with simple dots and lines, demonstrating how even basic squares, circles and triangles can have a stunning impact in stitch and textiles. She provides practical and simple instructions for developing and experimenting with pattern, using grids, symmetry, rotation and repeats.

Jean draws inspiration from patterns around the world, from West African Kente Cloth to the Gee’s Bend quilts of Alabama. There are instructions on creating bands and borders, strip patchwork and strip piecing, plus an extended study of Banjara stitched textiles. Natural patterns from plants and flowers also offer exciting opportunities for stitch, and Jean explores important design emblems such a the Tree of Life alongside other stitched flower forms. Finally, the ornamentation of the body provides many unique and striking ways to interpret the human form in stitch.

Pattern is everywhere and can be used to stunning effect, taking your textile art to the next level. This fascinating and exciting guide brings together inspiration, design methods and stitching techniques to help you develop truly great textile art.

Jean Draper is an experienced textile artist whose work explores the impact of time, weather, and humans on the environment. She is an exhibiting member of the prestigious 62 Group of Textile Artists and the Textile Study Group and her work is in public and private collections throughout the UK and abroad. Formerly she was a Senior Lecturer and examiner for various degree courses but more recently she has taught, on a freelance basis, all over the UK as well as in Australia, Canada, the US, Italy, and the Netherlands. She was National Chairman of the Embroiderers’ Guild from 1995 to 2001.