Memory of Cloth

Memory of Cloth

My journey back into textiles began with the challenge of establishing a new A-Level Textiles department. That opportunity allowed me to immerse myself once more in my long-standing love of fabrics, textures, and making. Over time, I have built up a rich collection of cloth — treasured for its qualities, histories, and possibilities.

Working initially with simple stitches such as straight stitch and seed stitch, and with the natural undulations of fabric, gave me the confidence to move into colour and develop new directions. Since then, my work has continued to evolve through a process of experimentation and response. I am drawn to exhibition themes, and recent work has been inspired by Horror in Nature, a subject that aligns closely with my interest in recycling, reusing, and repurposing both natural and human-made materials.

The remnants of my fabric recycling have also led to the creation of paper pulp, producing rough, tactile sheets that extend my practice into new territory. My process is intuitive and material-led: I allow cloth to guide composition, often letting it escape the frame. Hand stitching, including speckle stitch and techniques informed by Boro repair, remains central to my practice, bringing forgotten materials back to life through acts of care, patience, and transformation.

I would like to thank The Stitch Club and the Textile Study Group for their inspiration, generosity, and encouragement. Their workshops, knowledge, and shared enthusiasm have supported my ongoing exploration of textiles as a living, expressive medium.