This fascinating collection of folktales (including 2 audio CD's) explores the role played by fabrics in different cultures and their story-telling traditions. There are magical tales involving Armenian carpets, Indonesian batiks, Chinese silk brocades, feather cloaks from Hawaii and patchwork garments. Each story has source notes and is introduced by a factual account of the production and cultural significance of the featured material. The lavish illustrations are in the style of tapestries and embroidered story-quilts, underlining the many connections between the making of fabrics, the spinning of tales and weaving of narrative threads.