Three Dimensional Textiles

Just sharing some thoughts of no great consequence…

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Pile rugs are the most well-know example of 3-D weaving with 3 elements. In addition to the warp and the weft, there is the pile – which is the knotted fluff extending upwards towards our feet, making it soft & cushy.

Embroidery, supplementary weft weaving, embellishments like mirrors, shells, beads, beetle wings and other shimmers / glitters also add a third dimension. However the extent of the third dimension is so small that it is easy to neglect it.

Here are some examples of textiles which have that ever-so-minor third dimension as well.

Some are just additions for beauty. But some of these additions have work to do – such as to keep out insects!

Example 1:

The Rabari Ludhi / Gujarat

Example 2

The Handira

[Was in the wovensouls collection – now sold]

Example 3

The Arkilla

Example 4

The Yao Shoulder Cloth

Example 5

The Sindh Shawl

Example 6

Kuba Cloth

Example 7

Zardozi padded embroidery.

[Was in the wovensouls collection – now sold]

If you can think of others, please add images and text in comments.

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Here’s one sent in by Steve Wallace with the note “I’ve also seen these labelled as coming from Mizoram. I guess it, Nagaland and that corner of Burma are all pretty near to each other.”

jm

Feb 2022