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Watson's Textile Design Guide

Watson's Textile Design and Colour is a comprehensive treatise on woven cloth construction and design, first published in 1912 and revised multiple times. The latest edition has undergone significant modernization, including a complete reorganization of content and the introduction of new teaching approaches. The book aims to retain and spread knowledge of weaving technology while addressing contemporary issues of resource efficiency and waste reduction.

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132 views5 pages

Watson's Textile Design Guide

Watson's Textile Design and Colour is a comprehensive treatise on woven cloth construction and design, first published in 1912 and revised multiple times. The latest edition has undergone significant modernization, including a complete reorganization of content and the introduction of new teaching approaches. The book aims to retain and spread knowledge of weaving technology while addressing contemporary issues of resource efficiency and waste reduction.

Uploaded by

prof9463
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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Watson's Textile Design

and Colour
Elementary Weaves and Figured Fabrics

Z. J. GROSICKI
Department of Fibre Science, University of Strathclyde
Royal College, George St, Glasgow

W O O D H E AD PUBLISHING LIMITED

Cambridge England
Published by Woodhead Publishing Limited, Abington Hall, Abington
Cambridge CB1 6AH, England
[Link]

Formerly published by Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd


First published by Longmans, Green & Co., 1912
Second Edition 1921
Third Edition 1931
Fourth Edition 1937
Fifth Edition 1946
Sixth Edition 1954
Seventh Edition 1975 by Newnes-Butterworth
Reprinted 1977
Reprinted 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Limited

© 2004, Woodhead Publishing Limited


The author has asserted his moral rights.

This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources.
Reprinted material is quoted with permission, and sources are indicated. Reasonable
efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and the
publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials. Neither the
author nor the publisher, nor anyone else associated with this publication, shall be liable
for any loss, damage or liability directly or indirectly caused or alleged to be caused by
this book.
Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming and
recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publisher.
The consent of Woodhead Publishing Limited does not extend to copying for general
distribution, for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale. Specific permission
must be obtained in writing from Woodhead Publishing Limited for such copying.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered


trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation, without intent to
infringe.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 1 85573 995 X

Printed and bound by Replika Press Pvt. Ltd., India.


Preface

This book first appeared on the textile scene in 1912 when it was published by
Longmans, Green & Co. Since then it has been revised several times, firstly
by the original author, W. Watson, and later by E, G. Taylor and J. Buchan,
all of whom occupied teaching posts in the Royal College of Science and
Technology, Glasgow—a University College which a decade ago became the
University of Strathclyde. Thus, following an apparently established law of
succession, I have been asked and have undertaken with considerable
satisfaction, a further modification of the original work.
This time however more than a simple revision was required. The book has
been responsible for bringing up (most properly) several generations of
Woven Cloth Designers in the past but modern thinking in this area de-
manded a good degree of modernisation of the subject matter. And so
considerable portions have been entirely rewritten, the contents completely
reorganised to achieve more logical progression, and several new approaches
well proven in actual teaching practice have been introduced to permit
clearer understanding of the nature of woven structures. Severe pruning of
excessive verbosity and superfluous illustrations has resulted in a reduction
of the original by about one hundred pages without, one hopes, compromis-
ing in the slightest the nature of this book as a comprehensive treatise on
simple woven cloth construction and design.
All the structures dealt with in the body of this book are still being pro-
duced, some in traditional materials and settings, some in completely new
guises, and it is felt that as long as woven fabric is manufactured this con-
structional variety and richness will remain. It is also felt that in this era of
shrinking resources and proliferation of waste a technique which results in
the creation of the longest lasting article, which at the same time is structurally
soundest and aesthetically most satisfying can only improve its position in
preference to the most wasteful ones. It is, therefore, mainly with this idea of
serving to retain and to spread the knowledge of the 'mysteries' of weaving
technology that the reborn version of the book is offered.
The glossary of textile terms in Appendix I has been changed only slightly
and for the sake of completeness a number of items of historical rather than
actual interest has been retained. In Appendix II a simple survey of properties
and uses of man-madefibresis provided and an equally simple introduction
to the subject of yarn and cloth relationships in a woven fabric is given in
Appendix III. For those wishing to enquire further into matters surveyed in
the appendices references are given to more exhaustive works on each
subject. It is fully realised that the treatment of the subject matter in the
appendices is somewhat simplistic but it is hoped that by providing such guide
lines the new book might still serve as a designer's vade mecum today as it
undoubtedly did in the past.
Encouragement in the work was received from many sources and sincere
thanks are due to all my colleagues and particularly to E. G. Taylor, N. Pea-
cock and H. Hodgkinson for their advice and help, and not least to my wife
for putting up with my 'humours' during the preparation of this volume
for printing.
Z.G.

Common questions

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Reorganizing content to follow a more logical progression aids in clearer understanding of complex topics, providing a scaffolded learning experience that builds upon foundational concepts incrementally. This restructuring mirrors modern pedagogical methods, allowing readers to develop a structured comprehension of weaving techniques .

The modernization of 'Watson's Textile Design and Colour' is evident through significant rewriting to incorporate modern thinking, reorganization of content for logical progression, and the introduction of new teaching approaches to enhance understanding of woven structures. Furthermore, excessive verbosity and superfluous illustrations have been removed to streamline the text, reducing the original manuscript by about one hundred pages without compromising its comprehensive nature .

The succession of editors contributing to 'Watson’s Textile Design and Colour' facilitated continuous evolution of the content, adapting to educational needs and modern advancements in weaving technology. Each editor brought unique expertise, ensuring the book remained a relevant and comprehensive resource for generations of woven cloth designers .

The revised edition highlights the importance of balancing aesthetic appeal with structural integrity, aligning with sustainable design philosophies that reject short-lived, trend-driven production. By emphasizing lasting design quality, the book promotes textiles that are both visually and functionally enduring .

Benefits of reducing verbosity and illustrations include increased focus and clarity, making it easier for readers to grasp key concepts. It streamlines the learning process, allowing efficient transmission of information. However, drawbacks may include the loss of nuanced explanations and visual aids that some learners might find helpful for deeper understanding .

Retaining historical textile terms and practices serves several purposes: it preserves the textile industry's rich heritage, provides context for the evolution of weaving techniques, and helps new generations of designers understand the foundational concepts that have shaped current practices. This approach fosters a comprehensive understanding of both past and present textile design methodologies .

Man-made fibers contribute significantly to the versatility of woven textiles by offering diverse properties that enhance fabric performance. They allow for innovations in textile design by providing characteristics such as increased durability, flexibility, and resistance to environmental factors. This understanding is essential for matching fiber properties with intended textile uses .

Appendices on yarn and cloth relationships offer foundational knowledge crucial for comprehending the structural complexities of woven fabrics. By providing a simplified introduction to these concepts, the book serves as a practical guide for designers, complementing the detailed discussions within the main text and supporting further exploration through referenced works .

The book emphasizes the importance of creating textiles that are long-lasting, structurally sound, and aesthetically satisfying, which aligns with sustainable practices by minimizing waste and resource use. This focus on durability and quality supports the preference for sustainable techniques over more wasteful practices in textile production .

Woven fabric construction has evolved to utilize both traditional and new materials, reflecting adaptations to resource scarcity and environmental awareness. As resources shrink, the textile industry increasingly values constructions that offer durability and aesthetic appeal, aligning with sustainable production goals that aim to reduce waste and environmental impact .

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