Interlaced: Fibers, Threads, Textiles, Art
Textile and Fiber Workshops
Contemporary Approaches to Textile Arts and Craft
Die Kunst mit der Hand zu Nähen - Grundlagenworkshop
1. 18. 01. 2026
12 bis 16 Uhr
75 EUR
6 Plätze
Der Workshop widmet sich dem grenzenlosen Potential der kurzen bis halblangen Nähnadel. Wir nähen ein professionelles Tool, einen Emery Bag in der Form eines Jonglierballs. Alle Materialien werden gestellt.
The Textile Arts – Living Tradition, Creative Potential – Textile Art Workshops in Frankfurt
This series of workshops is the result of many years of personal and artistic engagement with textiles.
It began in 2015 when I invited Felicity Brown to my studio in Frankfurt to talk about her work as a fashion designer. A previous encounter had sparked a desire to collaborate—and thus the beginning of an in-depth exploration of textiles as an artistic material.
In the years that followed, I spent a lot of time trying to better understand textiles: their materials, their vocabulary of forms, their manual manufacturing processes, and their cultural and social meanings. What was and still is particularly striking to me is the observation that communal handicrafts—both historically and in the present day—are primarily carried out by women. This often takes place outside the public eye, but that is precisely where its special power lies: in shared activity, in conversation, in the quiet knowledge of the material.
This experience of togetherness and empowerment forms an important backdrop to these workshops.
Today, my research draws heavily on the textile practices of handicrafts and indigenous communities, where the production of clothing and jewelry is still understood as a meaningful, often ritualistic act. The continuous passing on of this knowledge shows that textiles are not just objects, but carriers of memory, identity, and relationships.
The workshops build on these perspectives.
The focus is on elementary textile techniques such as hand sewing, designing textile surfaces, felting, spinning with a hand spindle, twisting, braiding, and ribbon weaving. Even the simple act of making a string—organizing short, fragile fibers into a durable structure—marks a fundamental cultural turning point. Textile work connects, holds, carries, and organizes. It is a practice that directly brings together thought, body, and material.
Craft and art are not understood as separate domains, but as interwoven fields. The body is part of the tool, the material an active partner in the process. Every movement, every tension, every decision is inscribed in the textile result.
My interlaced workshops invite participants to understand textiles as an artistic material. The workshops are an occasion to pass on knowledge, to learn, to experiment together, and to exchange ideas. They are aimed at people who are willing to engage in processes and explore fiber, textiles, art, and craft as interconnected practices.
The textile arts are a vibrant medium of artistic expression with a rich tradition. They build on collective knowledge that has been passed down and continuously expanded over generations. The tools required are often simple, but their use requires attention, practice, and a sensitive understanding of materials, structures, and processes. Passing on knowledge of traditional craft methods preserves a cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years and makes it accessible to future generations.
Workshop Topics
Hand Sewing – Essential Foundations
The Sewing Machine as a Creative Tool
Sashiko – Unshin, Moyō-sashi, Hitome-sashi and the Japanese art of stitching between utility and decoration
The Power of Quilting Masterclass – From felting wool batting to individual artistic design and hand quilting
In preparation:
Wet felting of surfaces and three-dimensional forms
Spinning with a drop spindle
Embroidery – Goldwork, tambour embroidery, and three-dimensional forms
The workshops aim to familiarize participants with essential design and handcraft processes, enabling them to deepen these time-intensive, repetition-based skills independently and use them as a foundation for their own creative work.
Unless otherwise stated, materials are included (or available on site).
With small groups of 4–6 people, I can offer individual attention and respond to each participant’s needs.
Please note: The processes are usually slow, and the focus of the workshops is on teaching skills. It is possible that a project that has been started cannot be completed on site. The instructions, inspiration, and practical experience gained during the workshop are intended to enable participants to complete the projects they have started independently at home.
Anyone who has participated in one of my workshops is welcome to attend the Quilting Bee, which takes place on an irregular basis. There, participants can continue working on their own projects in a calm, friendly atmosphere, exchange ideas with others, or simply enjoy the creative community.
Textile handcraft traditions have their roots in the creative and sustainable use of resources. At the center of my workshops are repurposed fabrics and wool from local sheep. If not stated otherwise all materials are included.
Please note: Participation is at your own risk.
If you are in a difficult financial situation and the workshop fees are too high for your wallet, please let me know. We will discuss together whether I can grant a discount.