Growing Cloth is a material-led project that explores the relationship between food systems, agriculture, horticulture and textile production through the context of allotments and community gardens. These shared growing environments have become a central force of inspiration and research-informed both material direction and social values embedded within the work.
Allotments and community gardens offer spaces where individuals and communities can find peace, comfort, sustenance and social connection through shared labour, knowledge exchange and simple daily rituals. In contrast to a society increasingly dominated by technology, speed and digital dependence, this project aims to emphasise the importance of working with your hands, engaging with the local environment and reconnecting with slower, more sustainable ways of living.
The project draws inspiration from a personal connection to allotments, having grown up helping tend two allotments in Letchworth Garden City. The influence of Ebenezer Howard and his vision for self-sufficient communities integrating green space, wellbeing, and collective living continues to feel highly relevant today. As contemporary society faces increasing challenges, including rising living costs, climate change, overconsumption, and pressure on global food systems, the importance of localised, sustainable, and community-led approaches becomes increasingly significant.
At its core, Growing Cloth is an exploration of self-sufficient communities, shared knowledge, and circular approaches to sustainable living. The project considers how textiles can function within community growing environments not only practically, but socially and atmospherically through people, materials, aesthetics, and values connected to collective cultivation, repair and care.
Madder Root digging and steaming in my local natural dye garden
Throughout this project, I have explored a range of traditional and contemporary techniques, including natural dyeing, screen printing, weaving and metalwork. Using slower hand-made processes and reclaimed materials, the work aims to reflect ideas of circularity, repair, cultivation and resourcefulness.
Holding Seeds
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