Patch & Play
Patch and Play is my creative response to The Batsford Prize 2025 theme 'Fun and Play'. This project celebrates storytelling, craftsmanship, and sustainability, encouraging children to see their clothing as something to be treasured, played with and continuously reimagined.
Fun and play are fundamental aspects of a child’s development; however, this boundless energy, wild adventures and unlimited imagination inevitably leads to wear and tear on children’s clothing. In this project, I have embraced the endless creativity of children by designing an interactive textile piece for children’s clothing alongside a set of embroidered patches. These patches serve both as decorative elements and as repair solutions, transforming the art of garment mending into a playful and storytelling experience. It offers a means to breathe new life into clothing and a renewed attachment.
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To kickstart my project, I explored entries from the BBC 500 Words story competition, reconnecting with my inner child through the quirky characters and limitless creativity found in the children's stories. These narratives inspired the motifs for my badges, which are designed to encourage storytelling and interaction. The badges can be rearranged, allowing children to play with their clothing, create new stories, and engage with their garments in a way that fosters creativity and self-expression.
My design process incorporates a variety of textile techniques to create layered, textural, and dynamic pieces. By integrating digital print, appliqué, digital embroidery, and hand embroidery, I have developed a collection that is both visually and physically engaging, inviting hands-on interaction and personalisation. The tactile nature of my work enhances the sense of play, ensuring that garment repair becomes an exciting and imaginative activity rather than a chore.
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My research into sustainability highlighted the importance of emotional durability. By encouraging play and personal connection in children’s clothing, I aim to foster deeper bonds between people and garments, increasing the likelihood that they will be cherished, repaired, and enjoyed for years. This project celebrates storytelling, craftsmanship, and sustainability, inspiring children to see their clothing as something to be treasured, played with, and continuously reimagined.
