Commissions & Exhibitions
I am always happy to design new block printed patterns for commission. I love working to a brief & designing for different mediums including paper, fabric & printed surfaces.
Here are some of my recent commissions and also pictures of our first solo exhibition from summer 2023 at Dartington Hall in Devon.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss a design or see any more of my work by emailing sarahburnspatterns@gmail.com
Exhibition
The Art & Craft of Block Printing with Natural Dyes
26th May - 27th June 2023
The Gallery, Dartington Hall, Devon
We’ve been overwhelmed with the response to our first show at Dartington Hall this summer. We wanted to share our process – making naturally coloured & patterned fabric with local, seasonal & found waste materials in our Sussex workshop as well as celebrate the ancient craft of block printing with natural dyes.
We’re so happy that making textiles in this way that is kinder & helps to restore the beautiful world around us – has resonated so strongly with you and we can’t wait for our next show so that we can show you more of our story.
In the meantime here are some of the lovely pics and comments you left us left us
Amazing show – I loved everything from the ethos to the designs
Thank you for helping us think & see
Honest & beautiful. Thanks!
Stunning work – truly inspirational
Beautiful natural dyes – thank you – I am inspired
So calming & lovely, thank you
Wonderful to see nature’s colourful bounty on cloth – beautiful
Virginia White
Sompting
Sompting is based on the beautiful carvings found in the ancient Romanesque church of Sompting just over the hill from where I live in Steyning, West Sussex.
I very much love the organic rhythms & geometry of medieval decoration and this church is filled with very lovely things. In this design I wanted to capture this sense of ancient simplicity and history.
Rye
Rye was inspired by the fields of falling rye, that grow around me on the South Downs. As harvest time approaches the golden fields create mesmeric patterns, almost like water as the wind passes over them. I wanted to capture this sense of movement and beauty in this design.
Honor & Honoria
This was the first design I created for Virginia. It was created from an ancient piece of French lace, transposed to the woodblock and from there to the silk screen. Virginia named this design after her second daughter who is very feminine & quirky. I love that she names her designs after her lovely daughters.
Barron & Larcher Textile Designers
ACC Books
I was commissioned to research & write this book in 2018 as part of the revival of their archive by Christopher Farr Cloth. I worked with the studio to sample some of their original block-print designs from the 1930’s and then worked with The Crafts Study Centre to photograph their archive for the book and document their workshop & practice in 1930’s Gloucestershire. I have so long been a huge fan of their work and was thrilled that we were able to bring the incredible story of these two very important textile designers & makers to a wider audience. I learned a tremendous amount while researching this book and their practice continues to inspire me today.
The Green Table Café at Dartington
I was commissioned by Linea Studio to design the interior patterns for their refurbishment of the Green Table Café at Dartington Trust, Totnes.
The brief was to create a vibrant, light filled space evoking Dartington’s craft legacy. I drew on the fabulous Elisabeth Peacock woven hangings in the Great Hall and created designs that have a clean, contemporary feel.
My block prints were reproduced in joyful greens & blue in printed ply on the café table tops & walls. I was absolutely thrilled with the final finish.
