Tag: Textiles

threaded with meaning: how textiles have been used for memory and healing through history

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

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threads of defiance: the protest textiles of the suffragette movement

In a world where protest is often imagined through fire and fury, the suffragettes remind us that resistance can also be stitched by hand, draped across shoulders, and quietly embroidered into banners. Far from being soft or decorative, these textiles of the suffragette movement—sashes, handkerchiefs, banners, and badges—were radical tools of visual and material dissent.… Read More threads of defiance: the protest textiles of the suffragette movement

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Stitching Sorrow: Thomas Hood’s poem The Song of the Shirt and the Victorian Needle trade

Although this topic may not be local in the strictest sense, I thought it might resonate with readers in Hyde, given the town’s deep-rooted connection to the textile industry. Themes of craftsmanship, material expression, and cultural storytelling have long been woven into Hyde’s identity — and this subject echoes many of those threads. At first… Read More Stitching Sorrow: Thomas Hood’s poem The Song of the Shirt and the Victorian Needle trade

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everything you need to know about organic rose petal fabric

Rose petal fabric is an innovative, biodegradable, plant-based textile made from upcycled rose petals, offering a sustainable alternative to silk. Soft, lightweight, and sustainable, it is produced through a process that repurposes floral waste. This luxury fabric is ideal for various fashion items and embodies a shift towards sustainable textiles in the industry.… Read More everything you need to know about organic rose petal fabric

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the art of geraldine javier: stitching memory, loss, and the unseen

One of the things I’ve always loved is seeing glimpses into artists’ studios—the places where ideas take shape, transform, and slowly become the finished pieces we admire. There’s something uniquely fascinating about witnessing a work in progress, with all its raw edges and unfinished details. It reminds me that every artwork is a journey, not… Read More the art of geraldine javier: stitching memory, loss, and the unseen

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the ashton-under-lyne union workhouse: threads of history in gee cross and beyond

While workhouses were widespread across 19th-century Britain, each had its own unique history, shaped by the local economy, population, and industrial development. The Ashton-under-Lyne Union Workhouse, which served Gee Cross and the surrounding areas of Greater Manchester, was a prime example of how these institutions evolved alongside Britain’s textile-driven industrial age. From Fletcher Street to… Read More the ashton-under-lyne union workhouse: threads of history in gee cross and beyond

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inside the workhouse: harsh realities, silent stitches

In 19th-century Britain, the word workhouse struck fear and shame into the hearts of the poor. Established under the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, these institutions were designed to deter people from seeking public assistance by offering a last resort: food and shelter in exchange for hard, monotonous labour. Though framed as charity, the… Read More inside the workhouse: harsh realities, silent stitches

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ayurvastra: the healing fabric of ancient wisdom

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

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weaving the past into the future: the significance of preserving & reinventing heritage textile techniques

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

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