Artist exhibits smart embroidery to bring attention to craft

January 1, 2025  |  Swatches

The embroidery artwork of Hiroko Otake was a highlight of DESIGNART Tokyo 2024 in October. The exhibition featured three pieces showing butterflies in a variety of ways, from simplified forms in Butterfly Camouflage to intricately detailed in Circulation. The butterflies in the smart textile piece c…
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Quilt artist wins Great Rivers Biennial Art Award

January 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Basil Kincaid, a multi-genre artist from St. Louis, Mo., known for his quilted artwork, was one of three artists selected for the 2024 Great Rivers Biennial Art Award. The winners received $20,000 and are highlighted in the exhibit “Great Rivers Biennial 2024” at the Contemporary Art Museum St. …
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Bag To Life upcycles airline vests into travel accessories

January 1, 2025  |  Swatches

When one thinks of upcycling, it’s generally about giving new life to something used. But at Bag To Life (B2L) of Germany, employees there are working with materials that have never been used—thankfully. They’re upcycling airplane life jackets into travel gear and accessories.
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Hurricane damages Tropicana Field, repair funding in process

January 1, 2025  |  Swatches

The post-Hurricane Milton financial fallout is still in progress in affected parts of Florida, including St. Petersburg, where Tropicana Field’s dome roof was shredded by the storm the evening of Oct. 9–10. The city owns Tropicana Field. 
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Hiding in plain sight: seams as sensors

January 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Instead of incorporating sensors into woven fabric panels or knitting them in, e-textile researchers at the University of Bath and the University of Bristol in England studied the use of a garment’s seams—particularly in the sleeves—for the incorporation of sensors. 
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A chalk-based coating for cooling

January 1, 2025  |  Swatches

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a chalk-based textile coating that reflects UV and near-infrared light, cooling the fabric.
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Dedication is key for Maple Leaf Awning and Canvas

January 1, 2025  |  Features, Perspective

Most kids don’t dream of running an awning and canvas company when they grow up. Neither did James Dillport, chairman of the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, but in 2017, he stumbled onto an opportunity to help lead Maple Leaf Awning and Canvas (MLAC) in Sherwood, Ark. After taking a…
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Indoor shade trends: Regulations, automation and more

January 1, 2025  |  Features

New regulations are affecting shade products, but that’s not the only thing going on in this market. Changes in motorization, the way products are used for light control, available color options and demand for sustainability are all happening too.
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Strategize your social media

January 1, 2025  |  Features

A social media presence has become ubiquitous for nearly every type of business. And while that constant presence may be beneficial, social media interaction can become stale, routine and consequently less effective. For a company that has been engaged with social media for multiple years, it may b…
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Navigating global trade

January 1, 2025  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Advanced textile manufacturers often are new participants in young markets, so the regulatory hurdles can be challenging or unexpected. To succeed in the international market, newcomers must learn to navigate the various regulatory issues related to global trade compliance, such as government contra…
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