Makerspaces: Combining Information Literacy with Pattern Design for Fiber Art through Digital Images

Abstract:This article shares a practice of using digital images to create patterns for embroidery with aspects of information literacy within makerspaces. The author shares her enjoyment of a fiber art practice born of using digital images to create fiber art patterns from rare illuminated manuscripts. The author suggests that because images from these manuscripts are often considered hidden images, offering a program for pattern design will increase research discovery and opportunities for scholarship. This autoethnography offers one librarian’s experience using digital images from rare illuminated manuscripts and the ancient embroidery technique laid work to create colorful fiber copies of musical instruments and musicians for her art piece “The Medieval Screen.” Laid work is documented from the famous Bayeux Tapestry, and fiber copies of hidden images are one vibrant way to display forgotten images. The author asks if there will be a significant increase in downloads and views of historical digital images from offering makerspaces to teach this method combined with information literacy.