About Me

Claire Wellesley-Smith is a textile based practitioner living in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Her slow textiles are made using naturally-dyed, repurposed fabrics, traditional piecing and hand-stitching techniques. She grows her own dye plants and forages for other natural, local sources of colour. Her research interests include hand piecing and other hand stitch based communal activities.

Claire has 9 years teaching experience working in many settings including adult and higher education, schools, community-based projects, multi-arts events, and museums and galleries. She facilitates long-term projects, short courses and one-off events.

Textile workshops have an emphasis on issues connected to sustainability and well-being. Using traditional techniques her sessions explore the relationships between craft, health and the natural environment. 

Claire currently co-ordinates The Fabric of Bradford Project, based at Hive, a community based arts organisation. This explores the textile dyeing heritage of the area, with collaborative projects across communities using hands-on activities, including the creation of a dye plant garden. This will result in a permanent exhibition and online resource.

Claire runs an occasional workshop series called Sustainable Stitches at her home based workroom. More information here.

If you are interested in workshops, talks or other projects please contact: claire at clarabella dot co dot uk.