Swatches is the ultimate user-friendly guide to anyone looking for design inspiration, taking a less historical but no less expansive view of the world of fabric than Abrams' 'Textile Designs: 200 Years of European and American Patterns'.



A handy fan of paint chips is an indispensable tool when choosing colors for decorating projects. And, when it comes to selecting fabrics for upholstery, drapes, pillows—anything to do with textiles—fabric swatches are the necessary equivalent. They are the spark behind dazzling creative ideas, and they make deciding between, say, a sumptuous jacquard tapestry and a 1920s art deco pattern both manageable and fun. Swatches, by noted fabric experts Dorsey Sitley Adler and Robert D. Adler, provides the ultimate guidebook on color and pattern concepts for decoration, fashion, and craft. Featuring more than 400 fabric patterns, the book includes vintage and contemporary selections from the largest textile library in the United States. The swatches are organized by pattern type, everything from stripes and polka dots to paisleys and conversational prints. A series of special color and style groupings—Seaside Splendor and Pastel Palette, for example—add an extra touch of inspiration. In addition, the book features informative text describing the origins of and typical uses for each pattern type. With a user-friendly, "small-and-chunky" format, Swatches will serve decorators, designers, and anyone interested in pattern as an invaluable resource.