LUCY STRAWSON
Each quilt has its own story and process. Mine start with nature as I use plants to dye the fabrics I use. I work through the seasons, collecting flowers, nuts and leaves from my local area and using them when they are plentiful. The colours are what create the patchwork pattern ideas for me.
“Home textiles have been long overlooked as 'women's work' and objects lacking value, something that is just used. However, we all need to look at how we view textiles as a commodity and reconsider their part in our everyday lives and future.”
I should say that the most important factor to me is to create using natural fibres, so using plants to colour with was an obvious decision. Knowing where and when I picked the plant, how it was dyed and the colour created are all part of the story.
For some of my quilts it's really nice to not feel guided by perfection, using slithers of fabric to create less regular shapes. For others, especially when I'm working with applique, I feel the need to be a little more precise. Both give me a lot of satisfaction creatively.
I mainly work with linens and wool for my quilts, but have recently moved into using hemp. Wool has been the chosen fill since I started making as I love the finish it gives, slightly stuffed and cosy. Quilts give comfort. They have hours of love poured into them with the objective to be used as a cover for warmth, with the added benefit of being beautiful objects in their own right.
