Stitch and Pattern - by jean draper

​Jean Draper
Stitch and Pattern
Design and Technique for Pattern Textile Art
Published by Batsford
www.pavilionbooks.com
ISBN 978-1-84994-7
Price £22.95 / US $29.95 / Can $39.95

Jean Draper’s new book, following on from Stitch and Structure (published by Batsford in 2013) focuses on using pattern in textile art.  Jean looks at the origins of patterns that appeal to us, how these can be interpreted in stitch and studies how these patterns have been interpreted around the world in different cultures.
 
It is an intelligent book that draws on art, science and mathematics and blends them together in the matter of pattern making.  The premise of the book is that mankind is drawn to patterns to make sense of the chaos in the world.  By finding a means of ordering the natural world around us, we can find stability and surety.  And by finding a pattern, we can use it for artistic expression.

By Jean Draper, photograph by Michael Wicks

Urban by Sue Reddish, photograph by Michael Wicks

​The approach in the first part of the book is to look at the naturally occurring patterns in nature, explore where they are found, what their characteristics are and show how those patterns can be translated into stitch.  It is helpful to see several different interpretations for each pattern using a variety of techniques.  These may range from densely hand-stitched samples of concentric circles to dimensional frameworks dipped in paper pulp and stitched.  Such a wide variety of examples draw not only from the author’s beautifully executed work but also draws on the experience of other notable textile artists.

Ancient Pathways by Jean Draper, photograph by Michael Wicks

Reflections by Margaret Fairhead, photograph by Michael Wicks

​The focus of the book is on the author guiding the reader on how to develop their own interpretations and to that end, each sample’s process is explained.  Starting with small ideas, leading to in-depth research and building up a plan of translating into stitch will provide a process for work of this nature.  It is methodical and practical and is aimed to avoid being overwhelmed by an unfamiliar process.   The use of Jean Draper’s annotated sketches, examples of experiments with pattern arrangements and the origins of line, symbols and patterns all contribute towards a more coherent foundation of knowledge in this area.  Examples of works from around the world show us how culturally, approaches can differ.
 
This is a design book not exclusively for textile artists but for anyone with an interest in the origins of pattern and its place in design.

By Jean Draper, photograph by Michael Wicks

If you enjoy this book, look also at Jean Draper's previous book, published by Batsford, Stitch and Structure.

If you like Jean Draper's work, see also work by Double Trouble (Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn) and Pauline Verrinder.