Last week included my birthday, and it was a quietly wonderful one. It was a beautifully precious time with messages, phone calls and time shared with friends and family.

This year has begun very differently to last. From January to the end of July last year I was working intensively on my DYCP project, which gave me plenty to reflect on and document. This year has been quieter and more process-led.

In the studio I’ve been setting up warps and weaving plain cloth, working towards garment construction rather than finished pieces. Although there isn’t much finished work to share at this stage, the focus has been on groundwork testing, planning and preparing for the next phase of making.

Later this week I’m travelling to London to visit exhibitions, spend time with friends and visit some new vintage markets. These trips are an important part of how I gather ideas and context, and I’m looking forward to the time away from the studio.

More soon.