Resilient Stitch

Following on from her textile hit, Slow Stitch, author Claire Wellesley-Smith considers the importance of connection and ideas around wellbeing when using textiles for individuals and communities. Practical ideas around 'thinking-through-making', using 'resonant' materials and extending the life of pieces using both traditional and non-traditional methods are explored.

Contemporary textile artists using these themes in their work feature alongside personal work from Claire and examples from community-based textile projects. The book features some of the very best textile artists, including esteemed American fibre artists and the doyenne of textiles, Alice Kettle.

Resilient Stitch discusses fabrics that can be manipulated, stressed, withstand tension and be made anew, recommending techniques such as layering, patching, reinforcing, re-stitching, and mending. It also suggests ideas for the inclusion of everyday materials in your work.

An extended chapter called 'Emotional' explores ways to link your emotional health with your textile practice, while 'Community' suggests how to make connections with others in your regular textile work. 'Landscape' offers a range of suggestions and examples for immersing your work in the local landscape, providing a terrific way to find meaning in your work and a sense of place.

The connection between wellbeing and the creation of textiles has never been stronger, and as a leading exponent of this campaign, Claire is the perfect author to help you find more than just a finished textile at the end of a project.