Here at seam collective we have been overwhelmed by the quality and diversity of the works shared during this year’s #SeptTextileLove Instagram challenge. A massive “thank you” to everyone who took part.

We were pleased to see so many new makers and artists join the community but also that old friends returned with their latest exciting works, concepts, and experiences.  As a new member of the collective and facing #SeptTextileLove from ‘the inside’ for the first time, I felt blessed to connect with all of you – and I can tell you all feel the same about this wonderful community.  Textile folks are good folks, aren’t they?

In these times of great social, political, ecological, and financial challenges, I felt really empowered witnessing your textile declarations rising to confront power and the status quo. I loved how you celebrated the environment and each other’s work, and how you shared the restorative and calming nature of fibres, yarns and fabrics. 

From a personal point of view, I was really thrilled to connect with artists that I’d not previously come across, those whose work I found inspiring, many of whom were working in ways I’d never encountered before. It is so very difficult to choose what to share with you but here are just a few of my favourites by Charlotte Blake, Alice-Marie Archer, Claire B Jones, and Sue Nicholls.

In addition to that, as an artist who is focused on sustainability, I really enjoyed the ways that you examined the concept of circularity in terms of a sustainable practice. This included the value in sourcing your fibres by Arra Textiles, and the circular society (recycling, reusing, no waste) by Mathilde Renes, and the piece by Jennifer Coghill “What was once in the earth…became buildings, then became earth again”. Perfectly circular. I have also included the archive picture of Professor Becky Earley demonstrating her early adoption and promotion of circular design – here she is fringing recycled PET fleece back in 2000.  

On the same theme, I discovered that Professor Becky Earley is co-chairing a roundtable at the United Nations in NYC this October and that there is also a World Circular Textiles Day on 8 October every year.

Finally, remember that the #SeptTextileLove hashtag can be checked out at any time of the year, it is pure joy.  It is also a great source of research whether that is to inspire you to explore Sloppy Craft (which we know some of you found to be one of the most difficult prompts) or to connect with the community.  As I write this there are over 22K grid posts all about our love of textiles – I know what I’m going to be looking at over the next month. 
Looking forward to seeing you all again next year.

Lydia Needle