Opulent Threads: Exploring High-End Shirt Craftsmanship is an immersive journey into the world of luxury shirts. Delve into the secrets behind the finest fabrics, from the opulence of Egyptian cotton to the timeless appeal of linen. Discover the masterful craft of shirtmaking, from the intricate hand-stitching to the subtle finishing touches. Unravel the history and evolution of shirt design, exploring classic and modern styles, as well as the power of details and textures. Learn about investing in a luxury shirt, understanding the value proposition and recognizing authentic brands. Explore the art of wearing a luxury shirt, from proper care to styling techniques that elevate your look. Discover the world of bespoke shirts, where craftsmanship meets personalization for a truly unique fit. This comprehensive guide delves into the psychology of luxury, the importance of sustainability, and the future of luxury shirtmaking. Learn to build a collection, appreciate rare pieces, and use your shirts to express your personal identity. Whether you're a connoisseur of fine clothing or simply seeking to elevate your wardrobe, this book is an essential guide to understanding and appreciating the world of luxury shirts.

Today we associate the Renaissance with painting, sculpture, and architecture—the “major” arts. Yet contemporaries often held the “minor” arts—gem-studded goldwork, richly embellished armor, splendid tapestries and embroideries, music, and ephemeral multi-media spectacles—in much higher esteem. Isabella d’Este, Marchesa of Mantua, was typical of the Italian nobility: she bequeathed to her children precious stone vases mounted in gold, engraved gems, ivories, and antique bronzes and marbles; her favorite ladies-in-waiting, by contrast, received mere paintings. Renaissance patrons and observers extolled finely wrought luxury artifacts for their exquisite craftsmanship and the symbolic capital of their components; paintings and sculptures in modest materials, although discussed by some literati, were of lesser consequence. This book endeavors to return to the mainstream material long marginalized as a result of historical and ideological biases of the intervening centuries. The author analyzes how luxury arts went from being lofty markers of ascendancy and discernment in the Renaissance to being dismissed as “decorative” or “minor” arts—extravagant trinkets of the rich unworthy of the status of Art. Then, by re-examining the objects themselves and their uses in their day, she shows how sumptuous creations constructed the world and taste of Renaissance women and men.

Crafted Elegance: Mastering High-End Shirt-Making Techniques unveils the secrets of couture shirtmaking, taking you on a comprehensive journey from foundational knowledge to advanced techniques. Explore the anatomy of a couture shirt, delve into meticulous collar and yoke construction, and master the art of sleeve and front construction, including intricate plackets and buttonholes. Discover the power of French seams and elevate your skills with exquisite cuffs and sleeves. Embrace the artistry of hand-stitching, adding a touch of elegance to every detail. This book equips you with the knowledge to create flawlessly tailored shirts, offering invaluable insights on pressing techniques, fabric treatments, and adding intricate details like embroidery and trims. Discover the evolution of shirt design, explore inspiration and design concepts, and learn the business of couture shirtmaking. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate beginner, "Crafted Elegance" is your indispensable guide to mastering the art of high-end shirt-making.

Dried Flower Embroidery celebrates the craft of flowers on tulle. Discover how to create beautiful displays of your favourite everlasting blooms, grasses and foliage. Starting with the basics, Olga takes you step-by-step through how to master this craft – from techniques for drying flowers to making your own frames and embroidering onto tulle, using nature as your thread and drawing inspiration from the natural world. Expand your creativity and go on to create lovely designs of your own. Featuring a collection of 16 projects from wall hangings to homewares and wearables – suitable for beginners and seasoned professionals alike – Olga inspires you to bring a touch of nature indoors, as she offers a fresh and modern approach to the craft of embroidery. Presented through exquisite photography, Dried Flower Embroidery shows you how to create botanical artworks to display in your own home. Discover the joy of embroidering with dried flowers and make your own natural art with this irresistible book – a must-have for lovers of floral arrangements and interiors alike.

Housed in the former 16th-century convent of Santo Domingo church, now the Regional Museum of Oaxaca, Mexico, is an important collection of textiles representing the area’s indigenous cultures. The collection includes a wealth of exquisitely made traditional weavings, many that are now considered rare. The Unbroken Thread: Conserving the Textile Traditions of Oaxaca details a joint project of the Getty Conservation Institute and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) of Mexico to conserve the collection and to document current use of textile traditions in daily life and ceremony. The book contains 145 color photographs of the valuable textiles in the collection, as well as images of local weavers and project participants at work. Subjects include anthropological research, ancient and present-day weaving techniques, analyses of natural dyestuffs, and discussions of the ethical and practical considerations involved in working in Latin America to conserve the materials and practices of living cultures.

Illustrated with 200 stunning photographs and encompassing objects from furniture and ceramics to jewelry and metal, this definitive work from Jo Lauria and Steve Fenton showcases some of the greatest pieces of American crafts of the last two centuries. Potter Craft