I have a thing for textiles

I spent the weekend getting my textiles out of storage. I moved back into my apartment after 2 ½ years away and have been getting things out of storage gradually. Previously, virtually every surface in my apartment was covered in all manner of embroidered, printed, mirrored and woven textile.

This weekend I brought out some of my collection and draped them about. It was nice to be surrounded by color and texture again.

Here’s a tiny selection, all acquired in thrift stores, at yard sales, or on my travels in Turkey and India, or given to me as gifts.

(left) 19th c. brocade with dragons, (top) Middle Eastern embroidered cotton , (right) vintage Punjabi phulkari work, (bottom) printed cotton from Iran, (center) 1920s woven tapestry(upper left) vintage Rabari textile with embroidery and mirrorwork from Kutch, Gujarat, India; (upper right) embroidered bag from Turkey; (lower right) embroidered bag with cowrie shells from Gujarat, India; (bottom left) woven cotton and metallic thread runner from Turkey; (center) woven cotton and metallic thread runner from Turkey.(left) traditional Arjakh block-printed and vegetable dyed pillow cover made by Ismail Mohammed Khatri (whose workshop also made the cover I have on my bed); (center) patchwork of embroidered and mirrorwork textiles from Pakistan; (upper right) mudcloth from Mali; (lower right) 1950s linen pillow cover with embroidered ‘ameoba’ design. 

As much as I missed my textiles, I have to admit that it has been easier to keep my apartment clean. My apartment looks out over a courtyard, which captures dust and dirt and funnels in through the open windows. I haven’t had to spend time shaking things out the window as I used -- and will again.

 For anyone else who loves textiles, are they dust catchers that are worth the effort?