The Poetry of Print: Madder Cutch & Co.

In a sun-dappled garden studio in Stamford, Lincolnshire, Nicola Cliffe is reviving the art of hand-printed textiles. A former chemistry teacher turned textile designer, Nicola founded Madder Cutch & Co. in 2014, inspired by her lifelong passion for fabric, form, and the natural world. What began as a bold career change soon blossomed into a thriving studio, where thoughtful design, slow processes, and deep-rooted sustainability go hand in hand.

Nicola’s journey - from the classroom to Chelsea College of Art, where she gained an MA with distinction in Sustainable Textile Design - has imbued her work with both rigour and imagination. Her background in science has proved unexpectedly fitting in the world of natural dyes. Each print begins with a simple sketch, often inspired by the garden just outside her door. Achillea, tickencote pink, and madder rose are both colours and characters in her growing body of work.

The designs are transformed into flowing repeat patterns, which Nicola hand screen-prints on upholstery-weight linen woven in Europe. Every metre is printed to order in her own studio, ensuring that quality, ethics, and environmental impact remain at the heart of production...

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Image Credits:

All images courtesy of Madder Cutch & Co.