Conversational prints were a prominent feature in the homes of the 1950s. These large and sometimes splashy print designs were used for drapery, upholstery, slipcover, and tablecloth fabrics, establishing a decorative theme or bringing a splash of color and humor. 250 color photos of vintage conversational prints are accompanied by full descriptions, making this a rich resource for designers and historians.

This wide-ranging book shows how to create quilts with an authentic antique look, collect period textiles, while revealing the history of American fabrics. Learn the fascinating true story of fabrics in America and make your own period quilts with this comprehensive guide to fabrics and their influence on American quilts, from the machine age to the atomic age. From quilt historian Barbara Brackman, author of America's Printed Fabrics 1770–1890,Making History not only includes 9 quilt projects inspired by vintage quilt designs and fabrics, but is packed with historic photos, stories, and insights into the role of fabrics in everyday life.

Russell Simmons, the original and eternal hip-hop mogul, is one of the most innovative and influential figures in modern American business and culture. When no one outside of inner-city New York had even heard of hip-hop, Simmons saw the seeds of a global force that would change the way people talk, dress, listen to music, and choose the heroes they hang on their walls. Today, he oversees a sprawling, multimillion-dollar empire of culture-defining businesses in everything from music to fashion, advertising to film, and media to visual art. At the same time he’s broadened his interests and influence and pushed hip-hop to new plateaus of power and relevance. Life and Def is a one-of-a-kind tale that interweaves the remarkable journey of Russell Simmons with the story of the culture he’s transformed and been transformed by. In his own brash, compelling voice, Simmons chronicles his numerous business successes and occasional failures. He tells the story of the founding of the legendary Def Jam Records, whose roster stretches from original rap icons like L.L. Cool J, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys to today’s top stars, including Jay-Z and DMX. He traces the launching of Def Comedy Jam, the long-running hit television series that introduced a new generation of black comedic stars to America, from Martin Lawrence and Bill Bellamy to Bernie Mac and Chris Rock. He spins hilarious tales of his adventures in Hollywood, where he’s produced hit movies like Eddie Murphy’s The Nutty Professor and worked with quirky geniuses like Abel Ferrara. He also tells the story of Phat Farm, the wildly successful pioneering urban clothing label whose origins lay in Russell’s longtime fascination with fashion (and fashion models). Simmons’s story is also one of personal transformation, from the driven man who in the heady days of early success indulged himself with drugs, sex, and world-class decadence to the husband and father he is today, a man who has found meaning in activism, philanthropy, and spiritual practice while never losing his passion for the social, political, artistic, and commercial potential of hip-hop. Through it all he relates telling anecdotes about the characters he’s dealt with: models and gangsters, street poets and gurus, and major players like Donald Trump, Sean Combs, Jon Peters, and Tupac Shakur. Full of advice, opinions, and behind-the-scenes scoop, Life and Def is the story of the quintessential hip-hop life.

Theres always a challenge in quilting, and this book guarantees that quilters can rise to that challenge. Quilting and Color Made Easy provides all the basic techniques needed for cutting, piecing, and appliqu; includes shortcuts for sets, borders, and bindings; gives a straightforward explanation of the color wheel and how to use it specifically for quilting; and provides detailed charts for quilters to analyze and organize their fabric stash. Filled with beautiful photographs and written by two well-known professional quilters, this book appeals not only to the beginner but also to intermediate quilters who want to expand their basic knowledge.

From the author and designer of "ROY G. BIV," a delightful, fully illustrated new volume on patterns, from polka dots to plaid: their histories, cultural resonances, and hidden meanings.

This book discusses the various methods and techniques of printing. It covers the history and development of printing techniques and machinery, design marking details, engraving, ingredients of print pastes, etc. The subject matter of this book also includes notes on the machinery, equipment, and technology used in printing. Print edition not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or Bhutan)

A comprehensive sourcebook of over 500 patterns across six design styles, a must-have for anyone involved in textiles and the decorative arts. Delicate florals, bold stripes, geometric prints and sumptuous brocades - delve into the world of textile pattern design with this showcase of over 500 patterns. Close-up, highly detailed images of both designer creations and everyday items from the 1800s to the 1990s perfectly capture the intricacies of each fabric, while accompanying texts provide fascinating insights into the history and creative process of pattern design. This beautiful and accessible book is a valuable resource for anyone in search of visual inspiration. Table of Contents: Floral (abstract, all-over floral, ditsy, clusters, stripes, Jacobean, nouveau influence, poppies, rendered, roses, silhouette, single colour, stylized, varietal, Victorian spring, warp print) Geometric (black and white graphic, broken line, circle and square, circular, cubist, deconstructed, diamonds, geometric floral, grid, mid-century, ornamental stripe, radiating, whiplash line) Conversational (abstract, Americana, animals, automobiles, birds, cats and dogs, clowns, feathers, figural, folkloric, fruit, great pretenders, hearts, home sweet home, hunt, insects, lace/net, marbleized, mushrooms, objects, patriotic, tapestry, Western) Constructed Pattern (applied, beaded, braid, embroidery, pierced) Brocade (all-over floral, bold, cloqué, metallic, mirror, mod, single colour, stripe, two colour, velvet) Paisley (all-over, brocade, shawl, stripe, mod)