Creating heirloom woven blankets that feature natural world stories is a personal and meticulous process. Each blanket is designed to awaken a connection to nature, drawing inspiration from the environment, species interactions, and the rich tapestry of life around us. Here’s a detailed look into the creative journey, from initial concept to the final woven piece.
Watch the process condensed into 1 minute!
Concept and Research
The process begins with thorough research. I delve into the environment and species I want to highlight, focusing on their interactions and the story I wish to tell. After this research phase, I make a shortlist of the species to be featured and map out the design's shape and flow.
For my debut collection, inspiration stemmed directly from my own personal connections to nature. My husband, Jake, is an entomologist so we do moth trapping in our garden every summer with our girls. The incredible hidden biodiversity of our own back garden in Hampshire became the inspiration for the Night Garden Woven Blanket.
I grew up in the oak woodlands of Hampshire. Oak trees have always been so close to my heart and it's just incredible how many species they support. I had to include a collection that spoke to this story and so the Wild Oak Woven Blanket design was born.
As my collections expand, I continue to tell the narratives of different natural world ecosystems and species that resonate with my audience, from the intertidal zone along the shoreline to the insect pollinators that fill our summer gardens.
Sketching and Digital Drawing
Once the design concept is clear, I sketch the various elements on paper to determine their relative sizes and positions. These sketches are then transferred to my iPad Pro, where I use an app called Procreate to draw each animal and plant separately. Each colour is created on separate layers to facilitate easy adjustments later on.
Vectorisation and Assembly
The digital drawings are vectorised on the computer in Adobe Illustrator, allowing for seamless recolouring and precise assembly of the entire design. This step is crucial for ensuring each element fits perfectly within the overall composition.
Choosing Colours and Finalising the Design
Our blankets are woven from six colours of threads, plus black and white, which combine to create a palette of 147 colours. Each colour has a specific weave. I carefully select colours and weaves that sit well together and resonate with the natural scenes depicted, often favouring slightly muted yet rich tones. This is part of my artistic fingerprint and gives Arcana is signature look. Each element is recoloured to correspond to the woven palette.
Weaving and Production
With the colour palette and design finalised, I scale the design to the appropriate size and refine it in Photoshop. The completed design is then sent to our weavers in the Blue Mountains of North Carolina. These blankets are made from 75% recycled cotton, 20% spun cotton, and 5% polyester, ensuring both quality and sustainability.
Packaging and Presentation
Once woven, the blankets are shipped to our Studio Store. Here, they are lovingly packaged with Nature Connection Guides, printed in the UK on recycled FSC-certified paper. Each blanket not only serves as a functional piece of art but also as a gateway to a deeper appreciation of nature.
The Art of Creating Connection
Creating these heirloom woven blankets is a labour of love, blending art, nature, and craftsmanship. Each piece tells a story, inviting its owner to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way.
Explore our collection of heirloom woven blankets designed to cultivate your connection to nature:
EXPLORE THE FULL WOVEN BLANKET COLLECTION
