GALASHIELS UK — Flora has a dog that likes to jump up and chew the sleeves of her sweaters. These are cashmere sweaters that her treasure-hunting mother likes to find in charity shops. And Flora likes to mend the holes.
Her approach to mending is delightful. Instead of searching for matching yarns, she does quite the opposite.
She mends with flowers. Or plaid patches. Or geometric designs.
In doing so, Flora has helped popularize a new approach to repair: visible mending. Rather than disguising damage, she transforms it into decoration. People are fascinated. So much so that Flora has expanded her knitting business to include teaching workshops.
When Victoria and I visited her studio, everything was ready for an in-person workshop beginning the next day. Four participants from England were arriving for two days of stitching and learning under Flora's guidance.
She also teaches Visible Mending online, connecting with students from around the world.
Most impressive is Flora's book, Visible Creative Mending for Knitwear, which she self-published. She hired a designer, had the book printed in Glasgow, and, thanks to strong demand, has already reprinted it five times.
Flora's background includes a degree in Textiles and Design from Heriot-Watt University. Over the years, she worked for a variety of textile and fashion companies, contributing to their projects and meeting their often riotous deadlines.
In addition to teaching creative repair techniques, Flora designs and makes products that she sells at festivals and craft fairs.
Since 2016, she has been the mistress of her own destiny. Her two-room studio houses three knitting machines that she uses to create her distinctive line of products.
The slender woven scarves hanging behind Flora are made from silk — spun and dyed in Italy. They are so light they seem like faery cloth. (After my visit, there was one less scarf on the rack.)
As we were saying goodbye, Flora mentioned that she was heading home to bake a lime-cardamom cake for her workshop guests.
Flora approaches everything she does — mending, teaching, designing, and even baking — with creativity and thoughtfulness.
She sees beauty where others see wear and tear. And, she has built a business around helping others do the same while quietly working to reduce waste.
To visit Flora’s website +click here
Patricia and Victoria are currently in the UK scouting exciting people and places for their inaugural Great UK Quilt & Textile Journey. To be on the Interested List for this Summer 2027 tour, email Victoria +here.
