Library Matters will be showcasing a wealth of African-related material to generate ideas and creativity for level 4 Textiles students producing quilt squares for the Mothers of Africa project with Maggie Cullinane.
If you can’t wait that long, then read below and drop into the library now to find further sources of inspiration.
A selection of books
Books for inspiration and ideas
From top left to bottom right . . .
- The essential art of African textiles
- African textiles today
- Pictorial archive of geometric designs
- Africa remix
- African textile patterns
- African inspirations in embroidery
- Layered, tattered and stitched
- Making Welsh quilts
You can find more by searching on Summon.
Browse for books
Use the suggested shelf mark numbers to browse for books in the library
| Subject | Shelf number |
| African art | 709.6 |
| African textiles | 746.096 |
| Quilting | 746.46 |
| Embroidery | 746.44 |
| Patterns | 745.4 |
| Dyeing | 746.6 |
Look at the list of shelf mark numbers in the subject guide for Textiles to browse for more books. And use Summon too. If you are not sure how to search, then speak to our friendly library staff.
Journals
Visit T222 from 26th November for a selection of colourful and visual journals.
Recommended library resources (from Databases A-Z)
WGSN: for contemporary imagery and insight into African fashion, designs and prints.
Bridgeman Education: lots of pictures, photographs of African art, textiles, dress, costume
Berg Fashion Library: a good section covering the history, culture and societal aspect of African dress and textiles
Useful websites
Use the web for ideas and inspiration: here are a couple of suggestions:
The Textiles Collection from University of Creative Arts at Farmham
Victoria & Albert Museum: a good source of information about African art & textiles
University of Colorado Boulder: finding African images on the web
Social media
Try social media sites like Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr. Be aware of copyright – for most of these images, you can copy and use for your own private study and education, but don’t copy or share for commercial/business purposes.
