Flex: Exploring flexibility through solid and soft materials in woven structures, is a textile design collection by recent graduate Phyllis Hahn from the Swedish School of Textiles. A work which challenges the traditional function and behaviour of woven textiles by exploring flexibility, scale and materials.

Her work started out with an interest in the border between textiles and furniture. With a focus on the carpet, questions such as ’what is a carpet and when does its function change?’ pushed the work forward.

Eventually, this evolved into a exploration of flexibility within woven structures and by integrating solid materials such as wood and cardboard into the weaving process and combining those with pliable materials such as wool, polyester and cotton, she explores flexibility in the weave through materials and their opposite qualities.

The materials each have their inherent qualities and the weaving technique presents a physical realm in which they have to cooperate. In this way the solid material becomes flexible and also gives flexibility to the woven structure due to its weight, shape and placement. Continue reading →

This September New York Textile Month takes over the City for its third year. As part of the month long celebration of fabric and making;  Denim Days is returning for a weekend of all things Indigo.

Norn Design is exhibiting at Denim Days with its new Denim Collection of samples and concept pieces.  Look for Norn Design in the program for stand info.

The Norn studio is tucked behind London’s only Craft Jean Factory: Blackhorse Lane Ateliers . Infected by the hum of the denim factory, Norn began dreaming about the possibilities of handwoven denim. Starting with the basics, Indigo and Cotton, they have been expanding and challenging the notion of ‘Denim’ as a woven cloth.

Through exploration of texture, structure, colour and hand weaving techniques we have developed a collection of Norn Denims.

The collection of hand woven denims recognises tradition whilst being focused firmly on the untapped potential of denim. From denim cloth for fashion, to corded and hand tufted rugs, hand woven art pieces and denim blankets Norn Denim is a range of conceptual objects and ideas that ask you to consider what denim can be. Continue reading →

‘Praktis | Mind and Matter: The Making of Craft

Fifteen designer makers are exhibiting their work in  Bury Court Barn and its garden in October.

The exhibitors, renowned practitioners in ceramics, wood, willow, jewellery and textiles will show pieces for sale or commission, and reveal their thinking, inspiration and working methods in practical demonstrations and illustrated talks during the exhibition.

The stages of making – the consideration, the preparation and the sheer repetition of creating something by hand, all play an equal part in the finished object.

Ideas often take hours of work on paper or experimenting with materials before they are made. It is necessary to understand and learn from traditions, but for a contemporary maker to move forward requires having an idea that can push both the materials and the technique in a new direction: this can be extremely satisfying both for the maker and the observer, as it both respects but also questions what can be achieved with the materials and technique. Continue reading →

Laura Trowsdale
Laura graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a First Class BSc (Hons) degree in woven textiles. During her final year of study Laura was awarded winner of the Northern England heat and runner-up in the UK final of the Society of Dyers & Colourists International Design Competition.

In addition to showcasing her final collection at New Designers she previously completed work placements at M&S Head Office, woven design studio Rare Thread and trend forecasting agencies Scarlet Opus, Colour Hive and Unique Style Platform after successfully being awarded a bursary by The Clothworkers Company.

Her final collection combined innovative colour blending and traditional, technical leno hand weaving skills. Presented in a palette that ranged from fresh bright to deep dark tones, the set of sophisticated fabrics were directed towards the high end apparel market.

Early sample developments adopted a multidisciplinary approach; combining woven textiles and digital print. Continue reading →

Hannah Robson is a textile artist, interested in the spatial qualities of textiles.

She constructs sculptural pieces using combinations of weaving and lace-making, exploring how threads can escape the traditional vertical and horizontal pathways imposed by the loom.

She creates opportunities for threads to break away from woven surfaces, taking alternative routes and joining together in three-dimensional forms.

She exploits the tensions between rigorously controlled constructions and free-flowing loose threads, balancing structure and chaos.

A range of two and three-dimensional works will be displayed at The North Wall, including Ersilia, an installation commissioned by the Crafts Council, recently exhibited at Collect

Open 2018.At The North Wall Arts Centre
Date: 4th-21st Septemeber 2018
The North Wall,
South Parade
Summertown
Oxford
OX2 7JN

Open 10am-4pm Monday – Friday: 12-4pm Saturdays.

Further information available at thenorthwall.com or hannah-robson.com