Consider why craft-produced textiles maintain a place in our society
To craft something usually means to make something by hand involving skill.
The production of textiles is an ancient craft. Until the late 18th century textiles were produced in cottage industries. Textiles were spun and woven in rural areas on a large scale. Rural woolen and linen industries faced competition from the growth of spinning and power loom weaving. This led to mass produced textiles and clothes. During the 20th century the consumer required fashion that reflected their active lives. Clothes chosen to reflect personal style and cultural preferences. There is now a demand for high quality clothing leading to handmade products. People do want to own unique items. With the onset of the internet handmade items are available through sites such as Etsy enabling the craft worker to work from their home rather than in other premises which can be costly.
Craft produced items can be made by skilled qualified people. Craft makers work to maintain the textile traditions and skills such as weaving. Alternatively a craft can be done by someone who enjoys doing the craft as a hobby. Both do it for enjoyment although the outcome is for different reasons.
Over the years crafts such as knitting and crocheting fell out of favour but once again have become popular. There are many magazines and books available now on a variety of textile techniques encouraging people to learn something new. Society works at such a great pace nowadays that people are now looking for simpler slower pastimes and are looking to crafts to do this. Groups have grown via the internet and though very different are a reminder of the days when women would meet in informal gatherings to complete a quilt together or sew.
There are many benefits to crafting. Knitting and sewing have been reported as having beneficial effects on health and well being releasing stress and causing relaxation.
There is a workshop advertised at the V&A to take place in their digital studio this month. Solo Disco Scarf This workshop is to make a scarf into which you can plug your music player and headphones. I thought this was interesting because it marries the practical of making something by hand with a popular item of today's technology. Unfortunately I am unable to go on this workshop but will be looking out for something similar in the future.
Gale C and Kaur J (2002) The Textile Book Oxford Berg
Crafts Magazine 2015
https://www.ukcraftfairs.com/guides/textiles
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