Between weaving and passementerie.
For the past three years, a quieter body of work has been evolving alongside the more familiar parts of my textile practice.
While many people know my handwoven cushions, another thread has been developing in the background of the studio — one centred around experimentation, structure and a growing fascination with the space between weaving and passementerie.
Passementerie has traditionally been associated with decorative trimmings, braids and embellishment. Weaving has its own long and rich traditions. My interest has increasingly been in exploring what might happen when these two worlds meet.
Rather than sitting firmly within one discipline or the other, I’ve found myself drawn to the possibilities that emerge between them.
Over time, this exploration has developed into a body of woven works that combine elements of both practices in ways that feel instinctive to me as a maker. The process has been gradual. Ideas have been tested quietly in the studio, revisited, reworked and allowed to evolve over several years.
Some pieces begin with colour. Others start with structure or a small technical question. Often one experiment unexpectedly leads to another.
Not every idea reaches a finished outcome, but the process itself has become increasingly important. Samples, fragments and studies are beginning to hold their own place within the work — not simply as stepping stones, but as evidence of learning, development and discovery.
Because this work is still unfolding, I’ve been cautious about sharing too much too soon. Developing a personal visual language takes time, and sometimes ideas need space to settle before they are fully understood.
These woven pieces are not a sudden change in direction. They have been developing steadily over several years and are becoming an increasingly significant part of my practice.
I’m currently continuing to develop this body of work for future exhibitions and collections, and I’m looking forward to sharing more glimpses from the studio as it evolves.