‘Hold still (and notice)’ is inspired by the title of the memoir by the photographer, Sally Mann (Mann, 2015).  For me, this phrase has multiple meanings. It asks viewers/wearers of my work to hold still and notice the details of the natural world around them.  It is also a call to action to myself, to hold still and notice my inner voice, my inner flow, and recognise that calm feeling I get when I know I am on the path that is right for me.

Before starting this MA, I knew that my practice, making and teaching, was all about problem solving, or ‘problem finding’ (Dunne and Raby,2013, p.vi).  However, the problem I had found was that I had fallen out of love with textiles, was bitter about the devaluing of creative (and specifically textiles) education and I didn’t understand what I was making and why I was doing it.  By studying for an MA in Textiles, I hoped to find some solutions.

Being asked to synthesise a year’s worth of reflecting, playing, destroying, making, appreciating skill, futures thinking, listening, visiting, reading, seeing, watching and noticing felt daunting.  But through input from other students, my tutors, the people I met at Testing Time, and by me truly holding still and noticing myself, I have come to an understanding about why, how, what I make and who I make for.  Happily, I have also fallen back in love with textiles and the bitterness has eroded away.  Here I will share what I came to understand.