The Espadrille: Spain’s Beloved, Timeless Shoe
The long march of espadrilles, from medieval Spanish peasantry to global shoe icon.
Fighting Fast Furniture Waste, One Reupholstered Sofa at a Time
Cindy Feinauer wants to talk about “fast furniture.” More than 9.5 million tons of furniture are thrown into U.S. landfills every year, according to the most recent data available from the EPA—equal to 80% of the new furnishings being manufactured.
The Last Jacquard Silk Weavers
In Lyon, the silk-weaving capital of Europe for centuries, the rhythmic clatter of Jacquard Looms once emanated from about 30,000 workshops. Today, only three workshops still uphold this tradition.
The Uncommon Quilts of Joe Cunningham
When Joe Cunningham started making quilts, in 1979, it was an unusual occupation for a man—a fact that set him free as a fabric artist.
In a Tiny Sardinian Village, a Traditional Craft Holds on by a Thread
Maria Luisa Frongia sews and embroiders traditional garments by hand, one at a time, keeping a centuries-old custom alive in a rapidly changing world.
Women Who Embroider the Air
In Burano—a tiny island 4 miles from the city of Venice—the ancient art of ultra-fine, hand-sewn lace somehow remains alive. And so does the equally ancient culture surrounding it. Our correspondent visits with the master craftswomen of Burano to learn their history, their secrets, and the prospects for their future.
Written and photographed by ERLA ZWINGLE
Western-Wear Designer ‘Jukebox Mama’ Paints with Thread
Sarie Gessner—known for her Western-inspired suits, custom embroidery, and passion for music—is dressing some of country and Americana’s brightest stars for the stage.
Regalia for All Seasons
Mike Dangeli’s Chilliwack home is a gallery of First Nations art. Every wall and shelf showcases tribal regalia carved, painted, and/or woven by Dangeli himself, one of his sons, or another Pacific Northwest artist he admires. His own output is enormous; at one point Dangeli was producing 40 to 60 major pieces a month. “There…
“The Chemicals in our Clothes,” with Alden Wicker of EcoCult
Have you ever opened a brand-new package of clothing and been hit with a strong whiff of petroleum? Journalist Alden Wicker took a deep dive into the chemicals commonly used by the fashion industry in her recent book, “To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick—and How We Can Fight Back.” Craftsmanship Magazine…
