Between two collections, I like to go back to the sources and look at old books how to compose patterns for textiles and more to deepen my knowledge. I am talking here about books, or more precisely textbooks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The pre-computer and AI era, in which pattern design was done by hand.
Here is a selection of 4 textbooks designed for students of this era, but which I still find relevant today. For those new to pattern design or for those, including myself, who like to learn on their own, I encourage you to take a look.
These manuals are available for free viewing on Archive.org and can also be downloaded, if you prefer to view them offline.
1. Traditional methods of Pattern Designing
An introduction to the study of decorative art. Archibald H Christie, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1910.
As the title suggests, this book focuses on the different traditional methods for composing patterns. Origins, geometric, animal, floral and other ornamental shapes, types of patterns, repetitions, etc.
2. Pattern Design
A book for students treating in a practical way of the anatomy, planning & evolution of repeated ornament. By Lewis F. Day, B.T. Batsford Ltd, London, 3e edition, 1933. About 270 pages.
Technical treatise on pattern construction: planning, geometry, types of repeat, symmetry, mistakes to avoid, etc.
3. The anatomy of pattern
Text Books of Ornamental Design. Lewis F. Day B.T. Batsford, London, 1887. Around 50 pages.
It’s a textbook designed for students. It’s only about 50 pages long and it gets right to the point. What I like about this book is its illustrations showing the evolution of the construction of the patterns.
4. A text Book Dealing With Ornamental Design For Design Fabrics
C. Stephenson & F. Suddards, Methuen & Co., London, 1897. 273 pages.
Another practical manual on pattern making, but this one focuses on textile patterns and elaborates a little more on some of the fundamentals of ornamental art than the previous ones.
More Books on Pinterest
Visit my Pinterest board on old books to discover others you might like. You will find it here
Finally, if you have any books you like on Archive.org, let me know! I can add them to my Pinterest board and maybe talk about them in a future blog post!
Enjoy your reading!
Louise