Threads & Fabric

Textile Traditions

3 articles

Editorial illustration for Three Traditions, One Palette: Comparing Chinese Silk Dyeing, Japanese Aizome and Indian Block Printing
Artisan Spotlight

Three Traditions, One Palette: Comparing Chinese Silk Dyeing, Japanese Aizome and Indian Block Printing

This article compares three distinct Asian natural dyeing traditions: Chinese silk dyeing, Japanese Aizome, and Indian block printing. It explores their unique materials, historical evolution, and the ongoing efforts to preserve these rich textile crafts.

Fatima Al-Jamil·October 21, 2026
Editorial illustration for How to Tell Adire and Batik Textiles Apart
Artisan Spotlight

How to Tell Adire and Batik Textiles Apart

Adire and Batik are distinct resist-dyeing traditions often confused. The fundamental differences lie in their cultural origins, primary resist materials (starch paste/tying for Adire vs. hot wax for Batik), and resulting visual effects like crackle patterns.

Fatima Al-Jamil·October 11, 2026
Close-up of a richly detailed, hand-woven indigenous textile, with a subtle suggestion of a modern fashion runway in the background.
Sustainable Stitch

What Are Indigenous Textile Traditions in the Sustainable Fashion Movement?

MaxMara, a luxury fashion brand, was found selling clothing decorated with patterns identical to the traditional embroidery and appliqué designs of the Oma people, a community in Laos, according to Fa

Fatima Al-Jamil·September 4, 2026