Interwoven

A major new guide to mastering textile design that interweaves technical knowledge, artistic expression and storytelling.

Interwoven: Exploring Materials and Structures is a joyous exploration of woven textile design. It dissects woven structures along with the fibres and yarns used to make them, giving exceptional insight into the world of fabrics.

Interwoven outlines how the diverse history of textiles has been intertwined with human innovation from prehistoric twining to the invention of the binary code, through to today's new material discoveries and urgent quest for sustainability. By investigating the past and present of textiles, and narrating their cross-cultural roles, meanings and influences, Interwoven illustrates how textiles have been used to tell human stories throughout the ages.

The book introduces a new pedagogical method for woven textile design studies, inviting the reader to take a seat at the looms to weave their own stories. Detailed instructions for creating textiles, ranging from fibres and yarns to basic weaves, multi-layered constructions and digital jacquard design, are interspersed by emotionally rich, tactile textile stories by Aalto ARTS design students. The way this book interweaves technical knowledge, artistic expression and storytelling makes it a unique guide on the path to mastering textile design.

About the Author

Maarit Salolainen is head of the master’s program in fashion, clothing and textile design at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland. Alongside her academic work, Salolainen works in the international textile industry. As a creative director for the Turkish textile mill Vanelli, she leads a team of designers and engineers in developing new concepts, products, and collections for international interior textile editors and brands.