In this workshop, we explored visible mending with Bronwen Jones and Dasha Golova from Textile Initiative at Museum het Schip. We practiced sashiko stitching, inspired by the Japanese repair technique traditionally used to reinforce thinning areas or repair holes in woven fabrics. Participants were encouraged to use the technique in a playful and free way, while sharing stories through their garments as we stitched.

Participants brought a piece of clothing or textile to work on, such as cotton, silk, linen, or denim garments and home textiles. These could have holes, be thinning and in need of reinforcement, have a stain to hide, or simply be pieces they wanted to decorate. Scrap fabric was also available to practice on.

About Textile Initiative

Textile Initiative is an event series organised and curated by artists Bronwen Jones and Dasha Golova. The programme aims to expand on the potential of textile-related practices by interweaving them with wider societal topics such as ecology, ethnography, traditions, and personal experiences. They invite different artists and practitioners to collaboratively host events and workshops, and welcome the public to engage with textile crafts.

Bronwen Jones is an artist and textile repairer. Her artistic practice centres around textile and mending in an expanded sense. She is interested in the stories and traces contained in textiles; how textile craft knowledge is transmitted and preserved over time; and how to make craft practices relevant in our current times.

Dasha Golova is an artist and garment maker. Her practice follows two main threads: the concept of a supporting structure, and material exploration versus character building. In the past few years Golova focused on technical and creative solutions for costume making, especially stretchy garments for dancers. She is convinced both materials and hands are forging her artistic practice.