Projects
Detailed examples you can inhabit. Each project lists constraints, materials, and the “why” behind design choices so you can adapt rather than duplicate.
Soft-grid wall hanging
Time: a weekend · Level: beginner-plus · Space: dining table
Intent: Create a large, quiet textile piece that catches window light and rewards viewing from multiple distances. The grid provides structure; translucent overlays add narrative without busy patterning.
Materials: cotton warp yarn in oatmeal, two accent colors in merino blend, two 40 cm dowels, beeswax for thread stiffening, large-eye tapestry needle, masking tape, and a simple branch forked at one end for fringe.
Process notes: Warp vertically with even tension; knot bottom dowel first so you can tune drape before finishing the top. Weave horizontal rows in alternating directions to prevent bias. Every fourth row, introduce a thin paper strip woven as if it were yarn—burnish gently so fibers grip. When height feels balanced, tie off and comb fringe with a wide-tooth comb dipped in diluted glue to reduce shedding.
Variation: Swap paper for dried botanicals pressed under waxed linen thread for a seasonal panel.
Sketch-to-pattern cards
Time: three evenings · Level: intermediate · Space: desk + scanner optional
Intent: Bridge observational drawing and repeatable surface design. You learn to see your own marks as assets rather than one-off doodles.
Materials: smooth Bristol, tracing paper, soft graphite, waterproof fineliner, cutting mat, craft knife, rubber brayer, block printing ink in muted teal, and blank cards for printing tests.
Process notes: Thumbnail ten tiny shapes from life—cup handles, chair legs, shadows. Pick three that share a rhythm and tile them on tracing paper, rotating and mirroring until a repeat emerges. Transfer to Bristol, ink with fineliner, then scan at 600 dpi if you want digital cleanup. Carve a soft block from the clearest motif; proof on newsprint before committing to cards. Edition twelve prints; keep the “happy accidents” sheet for collage.
Reflection: Photograph prints in indirect light and note what still bothers you—that becomes your next tutorial focus.
Studio shelf vignette
Time: one afternoon · Level: beginner · Space: one shelf
Intent: Design a corner that invites starting—not storing. The vignette uses height, texture, and a single living element to break visual noise.
Materials: shallow tray, three identical jars, linen scrap, small plant tolerant of indirect light, clip light with warm bulb, cork tiles, and a shallow bowl for pencil stubs you refuse to throw away.
Process notes: Line the tray with linen, angle jars in a loose triangle, place tallest object at the back left for Western reading flow. Clip light so shadow falls behind tools, not across paper. Cork tiles lift supplies slightly, signaling “active.” Water the plant on the same day each week as a cue to tidy chips and sweep dust—care for space as part of practice.
