The shared origin of text and textile in the Latin texere, to weave, is a critical commonplace. Many of the terms we use to describe our interactions with words are derived from this common linguistic root, and numerous other expressions associated with reading and writing are drawn from the rich vocabulary of cloth. Textiles are one of the most ubiquitous components of
material culture, and they are also integral to the material history of texts. Paper was originally made from cotton rags, and in many different cultural and historical settings texts come covered, wrapped, bound, or decorated with textiles. And across the domestic, public, religious, and
political spheres, textiles are often the material forms in which texts are produced, consumed, and circulated.

In the light of the CMT's current research theme on 'the material text in material culture', we invite papers which consider any of the many dimensions of the relationship between texts and textiles. There are no historical, geographical, or disciplinary limitations. Areas to be
addressed could include:
The shared language of texts and textiles

- construction and deconstruction: to weave, spin, stitch, knit, stitch, suture, tie up or
together, piece, tailor, gather, fashion, fabricate, mesh, trim, stretch,
wrap, unfold, unpick

- challenges and problem-solving: knots, tangles, holes; to lose the thread, iron out creases, unravel, cut, keep on tenterhooks

- pieces and fragments: rags, patches, patchwork, scraps, strands, threads, rhapsodies, patterns, seams, loose ends,

Layers the stuff of books
- bookbindings and covers
- incunabula - 'swaddling clothes'
- medieval girdle books, book chemises
- paper and paper-making
- cutting, sewing, and stitching in and on books
- scrapbooks, albums, collages
- book ribbons and bookmarks
- carpet pages
- textiles in illustrations, frontispieces, title pages

Textile texts

- needlework and words: tapestry, embroidery, samplers, quilts, hangings, carpets, banners

- the needle and the pen

- printed textiles

- sacred/religious texts and textiles

- love-tokens, keepsakes, charms, and relics - cushions, badges, handkerchiefs, flags, scarves,
uniforms, livery and other textual/textile ephemera

- professional and amateur work

- relationships and networks of gifts, patronage, exchange

- pattern books, sample books, costume books.


Proposals of up to 250 words for 20-minute papers should be sent to Jason Scott-Warren ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Lucy Razzall ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by 30 April 2012.