“A Garden of Fabrics" is a creative project blending digital and handcrafted textile elements. Over 18 months, I explored various home textiles, focusing on their sentimental value. Inspired by a photo of my mom in a flower garden, the project connects to childhood memories and a slower-paced lifestyle, questioning if the younger generation can appreciate the same slow, quality-focused craftsmanship.
The project aims to revitalise preloved textiles, integrating them into modern culture to make them relevant and desirable. It encourages the frequent use of these textiles, creating meaningful experiences and new memories. The clothing collection utilises vintage cotton handkerchiefs, tablecloths, and kitchen towels, employing minimal cut-offs and elastic threads for voluminous looks. Digitally reconstructed handkerchief patterns were printed on certified cotton textile in a local studio, with some used in clothing and others transformed into bed linen. I also upcycled vintage shoes with removable sock covers from leftover polyester and repurposed unwanted jewelry into new pieces.
Guided by Prof. Jenko Marija and Assist. Doc. Zorec Petja, this master thesis project goes beyond fashion, advocating for a more mindful approach to progress. “A Garden of Fabrics” bridges nostalgia and contemporary culture, breathing new life into forgotten textiles and encouraging a reevaluation of their significance.
KEY WORDS: Reuse (upcycling), home textiles, collage, reconstruction, digital printing, handcraft, contrasts
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Department of Textiles, Graphics, and Design, Chair of Textile and Clothing Design
‘To have your path strewn with roses’
Inspiration collage
Material experimentation proces
Digitally constructed pattern ‘Krasni Novi Cvet’
Digitally constructed pattern ‘Prepogibanka Spominov’
