Clothing ourselves and adorning our spaces with mindfully crafted textiles is something I find deeply exciting, perhaps because these processes weave together so many rich traditions and disciplines, both practical and imaginal. Through fibre art and slow fashion we can explore ecology, botany, geography, economics, agriculture, history, culture, gender, psychology, art therapy – the links and relationships are endless. Below is a curated collection of some resources that I've loved over the years, each linked to the creator's website or a related project. Happy making!
Podcasts + Projects
This exciting new podcast from Weaver House "explores narratives of weaving, textiles, art, manufacturing, history, and the people, workers and artists whose stories create the framework and understanding of living with cloth. We’re all part of a common thread – forever connected by the material language of touch, a tactile sensibility."
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The Botanical Inks website is a wonderful collection of resources from Babs Behan, a botanical and mineral artist. Here I find inspiration and knowledge related to dyeing and ink-making, as well as the very exciting Bristol Cloth project and English Cashmere project.
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I'm so impressed by the Sustainable Fashion Collective's diverse offerings, including master classes and technical tutorials on subjects ranging from ethical weaving to preventing modern slavery in fashion supply chains. Lots to learn and explore!
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Fibreshed offers presentations, workshops and events to "deepen and expand our vibrant social network—one that is focused on re-enlivening new (yet ancient) connections between biology, place, appropriate technology and the clothes we wear."
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Favourite Books
India Flint's beautiful book on botanical dyes has captivated me for years. I keep it close at hand to keep learning, but also just to be in the presence of her gorgeous, wild, creative soul.
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Rebecca Desnos's brilliant little book on fixing plant dyes with homemade soy milk mordents is so clear and encouraging. Her vegan fibre art has also reminded me of the delights of working with linen, hemp, and other plant-based fibres.
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Rebecca Burgess's newest book dives more deeply into the makings of the Fibreshed movement, which seeks to revitalize regional textile systems that build soil and protect the health of our biosphere. Yes!
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Rebecca Burgess's Harvesting Colour was my first book on plant dyes. It opened my eyes to the relationship between gardening and fibre art, and introduced me to the concept of the fibreshed. I am grateful!
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This 1960s classic by Anni Albers, one of the twentieth century’s leading textile artists, is a "luminous meditation" on the history and modern trajectory of weaving. I'm grateful for Anni's focus on the deep roots of this timeless human craft.
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This little book was a close companion during my Saori apprenticeship with my mother 15 years ago. Written by Misao Jo, Saori's founder, it illuminates the therapeutic and transformative potential of this accessible form of free weaving.
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Katrina Rodabaugh's beautiful ode to visible mending is one of my newest and most exciting books on slow fashion. With three simple stitches she shows us how to honour and delight in our clothing as well as our own creativity.
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Claire Wellesley-Smith's lovingly crafted book nudges us to slow down and simplify our stitching practices in order to infuse them with more of our presence and love. The delicate, organic creations featured within are truly inspiring.
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