Arts Thread

The natural fibre wool, is wonderful for many different reasons. It has been in circulation and cherished for thousands of years; however, it has started to decline in worth and desire. Over the past few years, the value of wool has reached a point of almost being worthless, particularly black sheep fleeces. Their wool is undesirable and useless within the woollen industry, often costing the farmers money and resourses to dispose of the unwanted fleeces . ‘Field to Fabric’ has explored the qualities it takes to make a collection of woven fabrics traditionally, sustainably and 100% by hand, by working alongside local farmers from Sussex and Surrey, collecting their unwanted Black Welsh Mountain Sheep fleeces and alpaca fleeces and turning them into hand spun yarns. Inspiration has come directly from the countryside, looking closely at the surrounding environments and how the shapes and colours form the landscapes. Organic shapes and shades have been achieved by blending different animal fibres together. Traceability is a key modern-day characteristic. ‘Field to Fabric’ displays a clear journey the fibres have taken to be transformed into the fabrics they are. ‘Field to Fabric’ demonstrates where the materials originate, how they are being produced and show traceability of how they’re turned into fabrics.