Fabrics: A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects (Norton Professional Books for Architects & Designers)

As a new student in interior design, I've found Mary Paul Yates's treatment of the material very helpful. She starts out with aesthetics, knowing that if she jumped right into yarns and fibers we might be turned off or intimidated. The coverage of color, light and lighting, texture, pattern and market appropriateness are all crucial considerations for the professional. A short chapter on sustainable design follows; an apt attention to the "green" concerns that are becoming more and more important to responsible occupants of planet Earth. We then learn about the fibers that make up the yarns that make up the fabrics, and their many characteristics which an educated designer must definitely know. Lest one would think she is fully informed, there are eight more important chapters, starting with fabric structure (wovens, knits, embroideries, bondeds, casements and laces, etc.)and ending with professional practices (fabric selection, costs and budgets, order-writing and "guidelines and pitfalls"). With abundant, colorful photographs, educational illustrations and an excellent glossary, this book is both informative and easy to read, and it's hard to imagine any client asking a question the thorough reader couldn't answer.

Excellent book!it covers most of the types, the data, and the uses for each one. i did know nothing about fabrics with this book it helped me alot.

I ordered this book for a class and though I have not read through it enirely I plan to keep it for many years into the future. It is an extremely useful book for either fashion or interior design students needing to learn all there is to know about all kinds of fabrics. It might even be useful to avid sewers who desire to learn more about the differences between fabrics and their uses.

Well-organized and informative general reference on textiles for home or commercial use. Also has a great references section. Pictures are helpful, but I'd also recommend having a "hands-on" source in order to get a better understanding of all of the terminology and descriptions.

While I intend to keep the book for reference, it was not as described. The binding had completely broken away from the book's pages, which were replete with highlighting and underlining.

Great book to learn with.

great book.

This was one of my book assignments for a class of mine. It really helped me get a feel of fabrics when I was unable to go to a fabric store. IT has a very nice glossary in the back to get me more acquainted with the different names of fabrics and everything. Over all, a very informational book.