Selvedge Magazine: Issue 120 Carpet Magic

Buy Issue 120 Carpet Magic of Selvedge magazine. The term magic carpet is believed to have its roots in Persian and Arabian folklore, particularly in the collection of stories known as One Thousand and One Nights. These tales, compiled during the Islamic Golden Age, introduced the concept of a carpet that could defy the laws of gravity and transport individuals to distant lands, evoking a sense of wonder, freedom, and exploration.

Similar mystical carpets exist in Indian, Russian, Tibetan, and Chinese folklore, which invites us to ask: what’s so special about carpets that they have been given magical powers? In the words of co-editors Ginger Gregg Duggan and Judith Hoos Fox, "it is because the carpet is an object of daily use throughout cultures and across societal stratifications...that it offers an entry point for artists' manipulations, reinterpretations, and new creations. It provides the context to merge past with present, serious history with pop culture, and stereotypically Eastern and Western ideologies."

This issue of Selvedge highlights contemporary artists exploring the frugal craft of rag-rug making, digital interpretations, prayer rugs, flat-woven kilims traded across continents, tattie rugs from Shetland, and the prison rugs of Jaipur. Take a ride on Selvedge's magic carpet.

What is Selvedge magazine?

Polly Leonard launched Selvedge magazine in 2004 to celebrate our cerebral and sensual addiction to cloth while promoting skilfully made and carefully considered textiles. Every issue features talented makers and their lives and stories. Polly believes the most interesting and evocative textile stories deserve to be shown in the best possible light and has thus created a magazine that is an aesthetically beautiful experience.

This magazine is available in PAPER format. 

If you’re looking for more maker inspiration, check out the latest sewing pattern reviews from the sewing community. We also have a sewing blog to keep you up to date with all the news from the world of sewing.