Textile arts is a term that refers to arts and crafts that use plant, animal, or synthetic fibers to create practical or decorative objects.
Bast fibers include flax (linen), which were among the earliest cultivated fibers, and prized for coolness, strength, and fine yarns; hemp and ramie, which produce durable, mildew-resistant fibers used for cordage, sailcloth, and fine textiles across Asia and beyond; and nettle, regional European bast fiber historically used when flax was scarce.
Seed and fruit fibers include cotton, which is domesticated independently in multiple regions, and its soft, spinnable short-staple fibers enabled fine yarns and global trade; and kapoc and coir, which are buoyant floss and robust coconut husk fiber used for stuffing, ropes, and mats.
Leaf fiber includes sisal, abacá (banana), and pandanus, strong fibers used for cordage, mats, and ceremonial regalia, especially in tropical regions.
Bark and beaten fibers include barkcloth (tapa), which is beaten inner bark (paper mulberry and others), which formed sheets for garments and ritual cloth in Oceania.
Plants used for dye and finishing include indigo, woad, madder, weld, and logwood. Plant dyes produced enduring palettes. Tannins and plant-based mordants fixed color and modified hand, which refers to the way the fabric feels when you touch and handle it.
Textiles have multiple functions and roles, including protection, structure, communication, economy, ritual, aesthetics, and innovation. Textiles regulate temperature, shield skin, and provide safety in contexts from everyday clothing to sails, tents, and protective gear. Woven, knitted, knotted, and felted constructions create surfaces and forms with predictable strength, stretch, and drape. Motifs, colors, and techniques signal status, region, occupation, rites of passage, and group belonging. Spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing underpin trade networks, cottage industries, and industrialization. In many societies, textiles function as a form of wealth and dowry. Cloth anchors various ceremonies, such as birth, marriage, and mourning, and serves as offerings, vestments, and mnemonic objects. Pattern, texture, sheen, and tactile feel make textiles a primary site of design and artistic expression. New fibers and processes reflect material science, cultural change, and innovation.
Textile arts encompass the wide-ranging practice of creating cloth and other flexible forms through methods such as interlacing, looping, felting, knotting, or stitching. Fiber arts focus more on the fiber itself, highlighting material qualities in ways that are often sculptural or conceptual, and may produce works that are not cloth at all.
Textile arts differ from textile production in their core intentions, processes, and outcomes. The primary focus in textile arts is creative expression, aesthetic beauty, and cultural storytelling. Its purpose is to convey meaning, emotion, or artistry, similar to painting or sculpture, but in fiber form. Textile production, on the other hand, is focused on manufacturing textiles for functional or commercial use, producing fabrics or products efficiently, consistently, and at scale. While textile arts may also be used to create useful items, the output is often decorative or symbolic, such as wall hangings, art quilts, couture pieces, or ceremonial garments. Originality, craftsmanship, innovation, and the presence of the personal or cultural narrative are embedded in textile arts.
Needlework typically refers to decorative or structural stitching with a needle on fabric or mesh. It is a subset of textile arts and intersects with fiber arts.
Within the Hobbies section of our Sports & Recreation area, you will find another category for Needlecraft, so you might want to check that one out, along with a Needlecraft category in our Shopping & eCommerce area for retail sites.
Meanwhile, you will find several resources for textile arts, fiber arts, and Needlework below or within the included subcategories.
Categories
Fiber ArtsNeedlework |
Recommended Resources
Honoring a tradition of weaving, dyeing, knotting, and plaiting that flourished along the western coast of South America from the Pre-Columbian era into the Colonial period. These textiles, primarily concentrated in what is now Peru, have survived for millennia thanks to the region's arid coastal and high-altitude conditions. Its programs, Bolivian and Peruvian tours, and a history of the organization are set forth, and its leadership and contact details are included.
https://andeantextilearts.org/
Founded by textile artist Tamara Russell in Victoria, Australia, as a Facebook group in 2019, Naarm Textile Collective is an artist-led organization that aims to incorporate and challenge the boundaries of textile arts practice. The collective promotes and supports artists working with textiles, highlighting the medium's versatility through a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques. Hosted events are published on the site, and contact details are provided.
https://naarmtextile.com/
TAC seeks to unite and empower the textile community in Brooklyn and the greater New York region. People of all ages use the center as a resource to connect with fellow creatives, broaden their skills, deepen their understanding of textiles, and share their work publicly. The center offers a variety of learning opportunities, including adult classes, youth programs, and artist residencies. An overview of the center, its facilities, and resources is set forth, and contacts are provided.
https://textileartscenter.com/
Serving as a national center for fiber art, Textile Center promotes excellence and innovation, nurtures appreciation, and inspires widespread participation in fiber art. Textile Center produces more than 200 classes a year for youth, adults, older adults, and outreach programs. Key features include fiber art exhibitions, an artisan shop for fiber artists, a professional-grade dye lab and natural dye plant garden, a textile library open to the public, and a virtual video library.
https://textilecentermn.org/
A textile curator is a museum or gallery professional who acquires, researches, preserves, interprets, and exhibits textiles and fiber-based artworks. This is an online platform dedicated to showcasing contemporary textile art, serving artists, collectors, galleries, and enthusiasts with inspiration and in-depth information on fiber as a fine art medium. Key sections include an artists' directory, detailed explorations of techniques, an informational blog, and contacts.
https://www.textilecurator.com/
Created to make textiles exciting, approachable, and full of learning opportunities. From exploring how fabrics are made to their uses and design technologies, the site caters to both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the textile and fashion industries. Content includes textile industry insights and manufacturing, craftsmanship, fashion trends, smart technology, the science behind functional fabrics, and careers in the field. Contact details are included.
https://textilementor.com/
Located in Toronto, Canada, the museum is dedicated to the collection, exhibition, and documentation of textiles from around the world. It operates on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat. Founded in 1975, the museum houses a permanent collection of over 15,000 textile objects spanning more than 2,000 years of history across over 200 regions worldwide. Its online portal provides 24/7 access.
https://textilemuseum.ca/
This is an online resource offering in-depth knowledge, tutorials, and insights for textile students, professionals, and enthusiasts, covering the full textile spectrum, from fiber and yarn science to fabric structures, processing techniques, and sustainability innovations. The platform began as a modest blog by a group of textile enthusiasts aiming to fill a gap in accessible, reliable information, and has since expanded considerably. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
https://www.textileschool.com/
The Textile Society is a UK-wide community for professionals and enthusiasts dedicated to the study, history, culture, and design of textiles. Established in 1982, it promotes both traditional and contemporary textile disciplines through education, publications, events, and grants. Membership provides access to awards, bursaries, and professional development grants, as well as subscriptions to the annual journal, "Text," and invitations to conferences, symposia, and other events.
https://www.textilesociety.org.uk/
A hub for fabric and thread artists, the website offers inspiration, tutorials, artist interviews, and other resources for those involved in the practice of textile arts. The site includes deep-dive tutorials covering techniques, from surface stitch to mixed-media embellishments, artist stories and interviews showcasing various approaches to textile art, and accessible resources, including step-by-step guides, galleries, and product recommendations. Premium membership unlocks other resources.
https://www.textileartist.org/
The museum began as Quilt San Diego in 1985, focusing on elevating contemporary quilt-making to fine art through the international Quilt Visions biennial. In 2007, volunteers transformed an old aircraft hangar at Liberty Station in San Diego into VMOTA's permanent home. Today, VMOTA presents roughly 20 exhibitions annually, alongside lectures, workshops, and member challenges. Its location, hours, current exhibitions, educational programs, and memberships are featured.
https://vmota.org/
Hosted on Contemporary Art Issue, a dynamic international platform dedicated to contemporary art, functioning as a publisher, gallery, and resource hub for artists and art enthusiasts. Written by Julien Delagrange and published on CAI, the article highlights the textile arts, including their history, pioneers, and leading artists, such as Anni Albers, Fred Sandback, Louise Bourgeois, Judith Scott, Cecilia Vicuña, Chiharu Shiota, Sheila Hicks, Otobong Nkanga, Joël Andrianomearisoa, and others.
https://www.contemporaryartissue.com/what-is-textile-art/
The official website of the World Textile Art Organization is a global network dedicated to supporting, promoting, and disseminating contemporary textile art. The organization showcases biennial exhibitions, catalogs, and multimedia resources to celebrate and elevate textile artists worldwide. Founded as Women in Textile Art in 1997, the organization took its current name in 2009 to reflect its larger mission. Program and event schedules and contact details are posted.
https://wta-online.org/
