Author: rbakewell46

how to source fabrics sustainably from around the world-is it possible?

Sustainability in textiles promotes ethical sourcing and conscious consumerism. It involves choosing materials based on environmental impact, fair labour practices, and transparency. By collaborating with certified suppliers, supporting artisan communities, and staying informed about certifications like Oeko-Tex, individuals can make informed choices that contribute to a more sustainable future in the textile industry.… Read More how to source fabrics sustainably from around the world-is it possible?

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artists who weave messages into their work

In every thread, a whisper. In every pattern, a pause. Across cultures and centuries, artists have turned to textiles not just for warmth or beauty, but as vessels of meaning—woven languages that speak through texture, rhythm, and repetition. This post explores the quiet radicalism of those who stitch, knot, and loop their messages into cloth.… Read More artists who weave messages into their work

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Synaesthesia: the Work of Sanders & Barrow & Parke, an interesting perspective

Jeremy Chase Sanders – Synaesthesia Stitched Modern Weaving Fig 1: Sanders, J. (2025). Patriarchitecture. Featured in Mr X Stitch. According to an article via Mr X Stitch, Jeremy Chase Sanders, is a synaesthetic weaver based in San Francisco who experiences letters and numbers as distinct colours—seeing, for instance, the number ‘2’ as red and the letter… Read More Synaesthesia: the Work of Sanders & Barrow & Parke, an interesting perspective

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Holbeach Community Shop: A Gentle Place to Gather

Introducing Holbeach Community Shop I’ve known Jane Dean since high school, and she’s always been someone I admire—kind, thoughtful, and full of quiet determination. I’m really proud to support her latest venture: Holbeach Community Shop, a nonprofit space created to serve the local community. The shop has just opened at 11–13 High Street, Holbeach PE12… Read More Holbeach Community Shop: A Gentle Place to Gather

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archiving the unseen: sustainability in the stories we save

A gentle essay on narrative sustainability and the ethics of remembering There’s a quiet kind of sustainability that rarely makes headlines.It doesn’t come packaged in recycled cardboard or certified by green labels.It lives in the stories we choose to keep.In the mishaps we don’t erase.In the tools we restore not for function, but for memory.… Read More archiving the unseen: sustainability in the stories we save

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beginner’s guide to sashiko: stitching

Fig 1: Albion Gould. “A Brief History of Sashiko in Japan.” Albion Gould, 26 June 2023. https://albiongould.com/a-brief-history-of-sashiko-in-japan/ Sashiko looks intricate, but at its heart it’s one of the simplest and most meditative textile practices you can try. With just needle, thread, and cloth, you can begin stitching patterns that connect you to a centuries-old tradition… Read More beginner’s guide to sashiko: stitching

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the cultural history of left-handedness

From superstition and stigma to celebration and skill Left-handedness has long carried cultural weight—far beyond which hand holds the pen. For centuries, it’s been viewed with suspicion, framed as a weakness, or romanticised as a mark of creativity and talent. Clean vs. Unclean in Ancient Cultures In many ancient societies, hands were not equal. In… Read More the cultural history of left-handedness

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listening to cloth: a reflection on debbie lyddon’s work

There’s a kind of silence in Debbie Lyddon’s work that speaks louder than words. Her stitched cloth, sculptural forms, and elemental textures feel like they’ve been shaped by wind, salt, and time. I first encountered her pieces while navigating my own creative fatigue—caught between decorating dust and the longing to return to making. Her work… Read More listening to cloth: a reflection on debbie lyddon’s work

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