_restorative community interventions
_An Evolution Of Praxes, From Design Enterprise To Sewing To Mindfulness
Ellen and Tupper describe today’s career path as squiggly, one where the traditional model of a ladder no longer applies. My squiggle, or dance is comprised of value-based approaches to design.
• third sector project work > community arts delivery > sewing > environmental behaviour change design > sewing and mindfulness > mindfulness online > research •
Design work in the third sector, led to community engagement, restorative sewing classes led to the observation that Women shared deeply personal stories whilst making, this led to training to teach Mindfulness to learn how to compassionately facilitate mindful spaces for crafting, this led to hosting mindful classes and conversation cafes online. I then came full circle, applying Mindfulness to my first love digital design.
_mindfulness
_online spaces, delivering connection and calm
In 2020, during lockdown, I facilitated several weekly practices in ‘mindfulness of breathing,’ and ‘loving kindness’/ compassion. Each session lasted approximately an hour, consisting of an introduction to practice, a guided meditation, and a group discussion. A weekly ‘Conversation Cafe’ and meditations were offered free to those in isolation. Sessions were programmed by CIC “The Wee Retreat” where I was an active board member at this time.
_mindful sewing
Mindful Sewing, a symbol stitched every day. Embroidery cotton on wool.
Mindful Sewing, crosses on layers of cashmere.
Women On The Mend
Women who had experience of mental health difficulties, were invited to participate in weekly mindful sewing workshops. The sessions were informed by my mindfulness teacher training course, in its aims to address a particular theme such as emotions, attentional focus, somatic pain etc each week. I, additonally, drew from the work of textile designer Claire Wellesley-Smith, in particular her approach to ‘Slow Stitching.’ As a group, we collectively developed a structure to the classes that supported our practice of mindful sewing. This took the form of:-
• introduction to the theme, e.g working with anger
• short 15 minute guided practice
• somatic exercise, “do-in” or hand exercises
• period of silent sewing without an end goal
• sewing and discussion
The classes ran for three years, initially at the Govanhill Baths Trust then at The Wee Retreat. They received funding from the Volant Trust. During this time participants made friendships, and reported improvements in their mental well-being and their creativity. An unexpected outcome was a greater ability to be punctual. Most took up other hobbies, enrolled in community education and became more socially active. Many are still in touch today.
_textiles and restorative business
_a community of schools
The Circular Economy is a restorative and regenerative model, as opposed to linear and exploitative one. Products are kept in use for longer through leasing and repair services rather than individual ownership. Waste is minimised and reused as new materials. Embracing a circular system requires a holistic way of thinking, collaboration and co-operation as opposed to competition and the devaluation of people, plant and Earth’s Natural Capital.
_apparelXchange operations, engagement and visual messaging
A School’s network providing a “Circular Clothing Model”, collecting surplus and preloved clothing, redistributing through sales and donations, repair, recycling & reuse. I joined the founder Izzie Erikkesen in 2018 to put a volunteer network in place, create business policies, processing guidelines and create visual communications.
Business Services
_make circles collective co-founder, design innovation and visual messaging
Dr Clare Hussey, Shirley Mclauchlan & myself worked collaboratively as a design collective for two years. We prototyped digital services and real-world solutions aimed to reduce industrial waste and position designers at the forefront of disruptive innovation technologies.
_textiles and restorative communities
_Sew La Tea Dough community repaired catwalk collection.
