Sashiko is more than technique — it’s a quiet choreography of care. Once a rural necessity, now a poetic practice, sashiko invites us to stitch not just cloth, but time, memory, and meaning. This guide offers deeper insight into motif symbolism, regional styles, and creative adaptation — all while honouring sashiko’s roots in resilience and… Read More advanced sashiko: stitching time, memory & meaning
Image credit: Claire Gaffney via Unsplash In Japanese, the word boro (ぼろ) literally means “tattered” or “ragged.” Yet in the world of textiles, boro has become a symbol of endurance, resourcefulness, and beauty born from necessity. What is Boro? Boro refers to cloth that has been patched and re-patched over generations. Traditionally, families in rural… Read More the beauty of boro: japan’s tradition of visible mending
Image Credit: Mesut çiçen via Unsplash Series Introduction In a world that often feels overstimulated and overcomplicated, the pursuit of calm is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Beginning on the 4th October, this six-part series explores how design can be a powerful tool for cultivating calm—not just in our homes and cities, but in… Read More designing for calm: a sensory approach to sustainable living
Textiles are more than just practical objects—they are sensory, symbolic, and deeply personal. Across cultures and centuries, cloth has served not only to clothe the body but also to comfort the soul. From the stitched stories of traditional quilts to medicinal fabric treatments used in ancient practices, textiles have long been tools of healing and… Read More threaded with meaning: how textiles have been used for memory and healing through history
Ayurvastra, is an ancient Indian textile tradition meaning “life cloth,” and is experiencing a revival as a natural remedy for wellness. Made from organic fibres and dyed with medicinal herbs, it promotes health and sustainability. Through traditional methods, Ayurvastra supports healing, complements conventional medicine, and underscores slow fashion values while benefiting artisan communities.… Read More ayurvastra: the healing fabric of ancient wisdom
In a world increasingly shaped by automation and fast fashion, the traditional arts of textile-making—spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery—are often overshadowed. Yet, heritage textile techniques remain vital not only for their aesthetic and cultural value but also for what they can teach us about sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Preserving and reinventing these practices is more… Read More weaving the past into the future: the significance of preserving & reinventing heritage textile techniques
From ancient civilizations to early industrial societies, textiles have served not just to clothe the body but to comfort, heal, and soothe. Long before synthetic softeners and antimicrobial coatings, communities around the world developed natural methods for treating fabrics to enhance their texture and even their medicinal properties. This article explores the fascinating historical approaches… Read More fabric treatments through time: historical approaches to fabric softening & medicinal textiles
Textiles have always been more than just practical items—they are vessels of memory, emotion, and sensory experience. Throughout history, fabrics have been crafted not only to serve functional purposes but also to provide comfort, stimulate the senses, and express cultural identity. Today, with a growing interest in wellness, sensory design, and sustainable living, designers and… Read More how sensory textiles can be inspired by historical techniques
There’s something so evocative about the phrase “threads of memory.” I love how it captures the way fabric can hold stories, a narrative—whether it’s a scrap of cloth from a loved one’s garment or a hand-stitched detail that has been passed down through generations. It reminds me that textiles are not just materials; they’re keepers… Read More threads of memory: the connection between storytelling textiles & heritage-driven design
This article delves deeper into how scent can have profound therapeutic benefits for people with disabilities, impacting emotional well-being, cognitive function, and sensory regulation. Here’s how scent can help across different disabilities: Cognitive Disabilities (Dementia, Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome) For Autism & ADHD For Dementia & Alzheimer’s Physical Disabilities & Chronic Pain Conditions (Fibromyalgia, Paralysis,… Read More How Scent can Benefit People With Disabilities
Rachel Bakewell 