BLUE: Tatter Textile Library

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BLUE: Tatter Textile Library BLUE, a textile library of books and objects, provides an inspiring space for the study of cloth in c

Armenian textile traditions are many and ancient, influenced by and influencing cultures all around them. Armenian embro...
10/15/2026

Armenian textile traditions are many and ancient, influenced by and influencing cultures all around them. Armenian embroidery in particular spans a number of styles and aesthetics, from crisp geometry to scrolling florals, painted in silk and gold threads.

To this day, Armenian lace is known and praised as both simple and beautiful, using only needle and thread in a series of knots and loops to create complex designs. This compendium, "Armenian Needlelace and Embroidery" by Alice Odian Kasparian, documents numerous fragments and samples collected by the author over four decades. Also included are diagrams and techniques taught to Kasparian by her mother, a lacemaker of many decades.

One of the embroideries mentioned in the book is Ourfa embroidery, also called Edessa embroidery, a style known for its gold accents, soft color palette, and decadent floral designs. For those interested in exploring this centuries-old Armenian craft, embroidery artist Lizzy Vartanian (Armenian Embroidery) will be joining TATTER's World Embroidery Series on October 29th to teach its history and techniques. More information on the class can be found at tatter.org 💐

10/14/2026

In the small town of Santa Clara Tzintzuntzan, located in Michoacán, Mexico, a beautiful embroidery tradition has become celebrated for its representation of daily life and customs. Purepecha is a simplified version of P'urhépecha, the name of the local indigenous population. Part of the embroidery tradition involves the documentation of local beliefs and traditions, keeping them alive through cloth.

On November 5th, join long-time TATTER teacher and expert of Mexican textile history, Maité Jiménez (Maite Jimenez), for Purepecha Embroidery. As part of our World Embroidery Series, Maité will teach us the history and techniques of this vibrant and highly textured style. Come hear some stories, and explore how embroidery can help tell your own.

Find out more at tatter.org 🫏

10/11/2026

There is something incredibly sweet about these cheery yellow and cream paper doll dresses, made by different hands across a span of decades, carefully assembled to fulfill the stylistic and narrative desires of several generations of children. Somehow all six of them ended up together, collected by the same paper antiquities dealer, and became a set.

Each represents the ingenuity, imagination, and play of young girls in the late 19th and early to mid 20th century. Without any identifying information, it’s impossible to track down the exact provenance of each individual dress. This week on Substack, we invite you “Behind the Seams” to learn what we think but can’t necessarily prove about the era in which each of these dolls were made. At the end, you’ll find a pattern to make one for yourself! Check it out at tatterblue.substack.com

The delicate, yellowed pages of sewing practice books, whether precisely stitched or revealing an unsure hand, are some ...
10/10/2026

The delicate, yellowed pages of sewing practice books, whether precisely stitched or revealing an unsure hand, are some of our favorite objects to encounter. TATTER’s library is home to a broad array of sample books, ranging from a 1940s French schoolgirl’s practice book, to a portfolio of needlelace made by an Armenian refugee in Alexandria. While the binding of this particular book has begun to flake, and the pages have turned dry and brittle, every sewing sample is perfectly executed and preserved.

Jumping between handwritten and typed passages, the book outlines a series of goalposts and exercises for multiple levels of sewing courses, with each exercise exemplified in a neat and steady hand. The first page, in the same careful script, attributes the book to Grace Baer. A small note on the back cover reveals an archive number, and dates the book to 1902 in Brooklyn, New York.

To learn more about Grace and Home Economics in New York City at the turn of the 20th century, check out our latest free post on Substack! Subscribe to read more textile stories and musings at tatterblue.substack.com

10/08/2026

The history of Korean embroidery stretches back to the Bronze Age, predating the Korean written language. Today, many of the motifs and materials used in traditional Korean embroidery remain the same as they have for centuries: silk thread is stitched through silk fabric, held taut on wooden frames. The imagery of flora and fauna express traditional symbology, often wishing luck and safety upon the wearer of the piece.

On November 12th, embroidery artist Heehwa Jo () returns to TATTER's World Embroidery Series to teach two new techniques: mat stitch (자릿, jarit-su) and impression stitch (느낌수, neukkim-su). While representative of historical and tradition Korean works, these techniques are also highly adaptable and useful for filling and blending in any embroidery style. While learning the stitches, we'll also explore traditional color schemes and delve further into the history of this exquisite textile tradition.

Join us and learn more at tatter.org 🪡

The joys of linen and thread, of conversation and community, are some of our most treasured . On October 23rd, join us i...
10/07/2026

The joys of linen and thread, of conversation and community, are some of our most treasured . On October 23rd, join us in the studio with Sarah Hibbert (Sarah Hibbert Quilts cornerstone), quilting artist and Ambassador to The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles, for an afternoon of Hand Piecing and Quilting!

Guided by the colors and textures of our fabric, we'll assemble improvised quilt blocks that draw inspiration from Log Cabin and strip-pieced designs. Next, Sarah will demonstrate multiple styles, stitches, and quilting knots to add dimension and texture to each piece, as well as two different binding methods. The finished squares can be used as coasters, patches, potholders, and more!

For more details, visit us at tatter.org 🪡

10/06/2026

Darning is a centuries-old technique that only recently fell out of practice. Clothes today aren't always made to last, and are much easier to buy, but that doesn't lessen our attachment to them, or their environmental and financial impact. Darning is a simple, practical way to extend the life of a garment by patching tears and strengthening worn areas.

Practicality doesn't have to be boring, though. In Mending with Weaving Patterns, artist Dante Gonzalez (Dante Gonzalez) returns to TATTER to teach us how to add pattern and texture to our mending for a visual upgrade. Using simple darning stitches, we'll fill holes and strengthen bare patches with stripes, ginghams, checks, and more. Join us October 18th over Zoom, and leave ready to tackle any tear with style!

Find out more at tatter.org 🕸️

Our very first pattern in our series "Crafts for Kids 100 and Under" launched on Substack today! This kite is a perfect ...
10/05/2026

Our very first pattern in our series "Crafts for Kids 100 and Under" launched on Substack today! This kite is a perfect project for a blustery Autumn day (swipe to the end to see it being flown) and is a perfect example of what this series will be: beginner friendly projects using found materials to awaken and inspire the maker in people of all ages.

At TATTER, we house a number of craft guides for children and beginners, published throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. These books tell stories, inspire projects, and instruct in digestible ways. We were inspired to make this series for those in our TATTER community who want to try something new or make something without the time and material commitment of a bigger or more complicated project. Whether you are a parent seeking a rainy day project for the kids, a beginner craving a simple craft, or an advanced stitcher looking for a return to the basics, these tactile projects can excite crafters of all ages, skill, and abilities.

Let us know what you think! Have you ever made a kite before? What kind of projects did you try as a kid? Comment below and join us on Substack at tatter blue.substack.com💙

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505 Carroll Street 2B
Brooklyn, NY
11215

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm

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