Book excerpt: This book covers a wide range of mathematical concepts as they are applied to regularly repeating surface decoration for textiles and other decorated materials such as wallpapers and wrappings. Starting with basic principles of symmetry it moves on to cover more complex issues of graph theory, group theory and topology. All these concepts are extensively illustrated with over 1000 original illustrations. A complex area, previously best understood by mathematicians and crystallographers, is made accessible here to artists and designers.