Plant-based weaving
ELKA is a woven textile studio based in Hampshire, where textile designer Ellie Fisher combines her passion for colour with an ethos of creating products that are sustainable. Fisher has a BA in Textile Design, specialising in woven textiles, and an MA in Design for Textile Futures from Central St Martins College, London, where she graduated in 2006.
Since 2015, Fisher has dedicated herself full-time to her practice: producing unique hand-woven scarves, shawls and baby blankets. These are sold on the ELKA website along with weaving equipment, yarn and handmade bags and purses. All woven items are comprised of a variety of natural, plant-based fibres such as; organic cotton, bamboo, linen and hemp.
In addition to the design studio, Fisher runs a variety of weaving workshops for differing levels of ability in venues across the South of England. Materials used in the workshops are sourced responsibly where possible, including end of line stock and second hand materials that would otherwise go to waste. Introductory classes for natural dyeing are also available and run by Claudia, Fisher’s mum.
Sustainability is a theme that continues throughout every aspect of ELKA. This focus was sparked after Fisher completed a dissertation on the hemp production process, which highlighted the destructive environmental and ethical issues surrounding the fashion and textiles industry. This cemented Fisher’s interest in creating textiles that are plant-based and vegan, without compromising on quality or luxurious feel.
Guest post by Annie Sharp
2 comments
As someone who doesn’t use animal products, I sometimes feel left out and limited in my weaving. So something like this really brings a smile to my face
My very first adventure with tapestry weaving was at a course with Ellie in Winchester. I loved her approach to using sustainable fibres and she created a relaxed and very enjoyable exploration of the craft.
The small tapestries I created have pride of place hanging from my kitchen cabinet door knobs!