In today’s world, technology has woven its way into nearly every aspect of our lives and work. The fashion industry is always looking for ways to make things faster and automate work that always used to be done by humans – but not Jackie. She’s been working with hand weavers in Bangladesh for over three decades and is more passionate about the future of fair trade, hand-crafted fabrics than ever. Jackie teaches designers how to design their own handwoven fabrics and helps them get their textiles made through her business Motif Handmade.
In episode 120, Jackie shares how designing your own handwoven textiles is more accessible to you as an independent designer than you might realize, how she’s seen fair trade sourcing change lives, and the value that threads through all of Jackie’s work.
Jackie Corlett is the founder of Motif Handmade, a Brit who swapped the rolling hills of England for decades in vibrant Bangladesh, and now calls the wide-open prairies of Illinois home. As a textile designer, Jackie’s lifelong passion is for handcrafted fabrics and the remarkable artisans who bring them to life. Over the years, she’s helped students, designers and brands weave artisanal goods into their collections, creating beauty with purpose.
Today, through her course KIND FABRIC, Jackie’s mission is to empower designers with the skills and confidence to develop their own fair trade certified, custom fabrics and finished goods. She believes sourcing can be 100% transparent, giving you 100% peace of mind. From fibre to fabric to finished product, Jackie champions a world where creativity isn’t just about making things … it’s about making a difference.
This episode explores:
Fitting the customer
- Why handwoven textiles are more accessible to you as an independent designer than you might realize
- The two big shifts that have accelerated the demand and accessibility of fair trade textiles over Jackie’s career
Fitting the lifestyle
- What captured Jackie’s interest back in 1989 that started her on the path towards the work she is doing today
- How fair trade sourcing changes us as designers
- How long it takes to design your own handwoven fabrics and get them made
- How the MOQs and cost of handwoven fabrics compare to other fabric options
Fitting the values
- The thing that matters most to Jackie in her work
- Why creating products with integrity is easier now than ever before
- The ways that Fast Fashion mindsets creep into our work
- The real impact of fair trade
People and resources mentioned in this episode:
- Motif Handmade website
- Motif Handmade Instagram
- Jackie’s email
- Jackie’s LinkedIn
- Kind Fabric course
- Previous How Fitting guests who use Motif fabrics in their collection: Mrs. Emily and Glean & Grace
- Cyclo recycled fiber yarns
- Plaidmaker plaid design tool
- Future Fabrics Expo
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