MORE FUEL FOR YOUR #WINTERWARMER

Image: Handwoven draught excluder, for Cash. Hollie Ward. Courtesy of Hollie Ward. 

Hollie Ward is an award-winning textile artist, originally from Hull, now based in south London. She received a Worshipful Company of Woolmen Award in 2019, and took the Cockpit Arts Textiles Prize in 2021.

Ward uses weaving as a medium for artworks that employ colour and texture to provoke ideas of memory, time, and place, often conducting extensive material research to forge relationships between woven art and spaces.

She gamely took part in our draught excluder challenge to boost our #winterwarmer campaign, and hopes her work will inspire you in your creations. 

Hollie’s piece is made from her own handwoven fabric. She then turned into the draught excluder by using English paper piecing patchwork, so the whole item is entirely hand woven and hand sewn. 

Image: Handwoven draught excluder, for Cash. Hollie Ward. Courtesy of Hollie Ward.

Whilst you might not wish to weave your own fabric, we are encouraging you to raid your ragbag and make a draught excluder for someone in your community. 

Hollie says, “I made the draft excluder for Cash. Cash is a mother, daughter, wonderful friend, artist, and a teacher, amongst many other things. Cash came into my life just under a year ago, when I found out about the work she does through Redstart Arts, working with artists from marginalised groups."

Image: Handwoven draught excluder, for Cash. Hollie Ward. Courtesy of Hollie Ward.

"Cash has been a teacher for 30 years and works across institutions in London, facilitating creative workshops for people living with learning difficulties, and their families. She has become part of my life as a mentor, teacher, and friend. Cash gives so much out into the world in so many positive ways, so I made her the draught excluder as a thank you for welcoming me into her world."

Image: Handwoven draught excluder, for Cash. Hollie Ward. Courtesy of Hollie Ward.

Share your work on Instagram, #winterwarmer @selvedgemagazine, and we'll send you a code for a free digital issue of the magazine.

Keep warm! 

Image: Handwoven draught excluder, for Cash. Hollie Ward. Courtesy of Hollie Ward.

P.S. Our Founding Editor, Polly Leonard, has recently fitted a smart meter to monitor her domestic energy use. She was shocked to discover that one run of a tumble dryer costs £2.16 ( 2.47 Euros, or $2.41)!  

At SELVEDGE, we advocate ditching the dryer in favour off the washing line— better for your clothes, better for the planet, better for your wallet!

See #clotheslinespoetry for some creative inspiration.