Nicola Cliffe

Madder Cutch & Co

Textile printer

From chemistry to textile printing

Nicola left her job as a chemistry teacher to work with natural textiles
She continuously researches and tests natural plant dyes and pigments
Her hand screen printed fabrics can be hung as art pieces or used to adorn furniture

Nicola Cliffe’s textile studio is located in the charming historic town of Stamford. Her creative designs are inspired from the surrounding nature and delicate flowers that grow in her garden every summer. As a former chemistry teacher, Nicola has loved textiles from a young age. “I adored my grandmother’s home furnishings, which were mainly from William Morris designs.” She left her teaching profession to be part of a movement resisting the careless use of synthetic dyes worldwide. Nicola became a student again at Chelsea College of Art and Design, completing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Textile Design. “I research new sustainably-sourced dyes and pigments while using reliable plants such as madder, indigo and mulberry which continue to impress me with their versatility and beauty." Her handprinted textiles are art pieces as well as fabrics for home decoration.

Interview

How does having a chemistry background help you as a textile artist?: Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties and how it changes. There is a methodical approach to setting up experiments which I naturally apply when experimenting, researching and increasing my pallet of sustainable natural dyes and pigments.
What is your approach to textile printing?: I use natural linens, design my own patterns, keeping things simple, natural and handcrafted. I use reliable hand printing processes and sustainably sourced plant dyes and pigments from good old staples such as madder, as well experimenting with other locally-sourced plant dyes.
Could you tell us about your recent book?: A dream come true! I recently published a beautiful and informative book called “Printing with natural dyes” published by The Crowood Press. It is destined for textile designers, and also for lovers of textiles, natural dyes and pigments.
How important is transmission to you?: I suppose my teaching background naturally motivates me to pass on my knowledge. I regularly organise workshops to help young textile designers gain printing experience and regularly have intern students in the studio. I recently also welcomed a fellow as part of the Homo Faber Fellowship.

Nicola Cliffe is a master artisan: she began her career in 1995 and she started teaching in 2017