Irish Textiles - Swatch Project

Irish textiles have played an important role in Ireland’s cultural and economic development.

Over the centuries Ireland has slowly moved from an agrarian to industrial to a knowledge based economy. The Irish fashion and textile industry has moved with these changes. For many years the Textile industry relied on the flax and wool for their textile production and the agricultural sector relied on the textile industry as it enabled the setup of cottage industry and provided income during hard winters and times of crop shortage. This project investigates traditional Irish textiles and draws influence from them to create a contemporary response through a range of different mediums and recycled materials.

Weave repeat pattern on a loom using yarns and recycled fabric scraps.

Latch hook rug inspired by moss

Hand printed applique with free motion quilting

3D flowers created by melting pieces of plastic bottles, spray painting and sewing to fabric.

Trapunto quilting done by hand.

Printed fabric created by using melted plastic as a stamp onto the fabric.

Printed fabric, created by using melted plastic as a stencil and printing it onto the fabric.

Recycled Plastic trapping sweet wrappers

Free motion embroidery onto recycled vegetable netting

Eco printing using leaves and flowers.

Eco printing using leaves and wild flowers