Feathers sewn on to fringes and tassels as seen on the pouch here, which is on view at the Pitt Rivers Museum, were added by the Plains tribes of North America to distract and confuse evil spirits. Gaudy little pieces of red fabric added to a work like this were also considered powerful deterrents against evil.

This pouch is one of many superb examples of the way embroidery is rooted in ancient beliefs and superstitions that feature in Sheila Paine's latest book Embroidered Textiles - A World Guide to Traditional Patterns.

Such culture contrasts with embroidery in the western world which has been at the mercy of trade and fashion.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Paine examines in detail the fascinating symbolism of the motifs and patterns that give life to embroidered textiles.

The astonishing array of examples she examines includes gold embroidered Chinese court insignia, landscape-worked Japanese kimonos, Sumatran tapis sarongs, Indian saris, Afghan chain-stitched purses, Turkish napkin borders, Ghanaian patchwork banners, Egyptian headshawls and Hungarian sheepskin jerkins.