Meet the artist: Bernadette Carlin
Bernadette Carlin is a textile artist, a community workshop facilitator, and a mum from Donegal. Today she shares with us some insight into her art practice and inspiration.
A little pouch
How did you get into textile art?
I was always interested in art. The main influence came from my family, mum was very much into fashion and my aunt had an old Singer sewing machine. I started learning to sew as a teenager and then pursued fashion at art college. For years I worked sewing fashion, bridalwear first and with a fashion designer Edel MacBride in Donegal. I then work at a picture frame shop and there people started to commission textile artworks from me. I also started working with community projects delivering sewing and textile art workshops. Only after I had kids, I started participating in various activities at the Duncairn and finally started facilitating classes here.
Where do you find your inspiration to create?
Mostly from the natural world. Growing up in a farm in Donegal, I’ve always been fascinated by the colours and textures of nature, in the landscape and changing seasons. And I look for the same colours and textures in fabrics, the way a fabric feels at the touch is also particularly important to me. I like natural textures, raw materials, nothing too polished. Fabric is always the point of start for all my creations.
What is the best thing about sewing?
For me, it’s being able to create something new from scraps and little bits of fabric. It is a such a pleasure to create new things and it’s amazing what you can do with little cost. I also enjoy teaching people to sew and create their own little things with fabric.
What do you teach in your workshops and classes?
I always cover the basics of sewing first. I propose little projects that teach fundamental sewing skills. We do things like cushions and make-up bags. They are practical, hands-on classes, aimed at teaching the essential techniques so that people become confident enough to realize their own projects.
