a conversation in cloth

Red fabric gathered on a white plastic ring, surrounded by cut out paper shapes on a wooden table.

story

Rebecca Robin Studio grew from a desire to build a creative practice around making beautiful things from reclaimed and existing materials. I create bespoke and one-of-a-kind interior pieces, exploring the possibilities of appliqué, quilting and tambour beading.

Behind each piece is a combination of extensive research, instinct and experimentation. My creative approach has been shaped over a 20+ year career in print design and fashion trend forecasting, bringing together a deep understanding of pattern, colour, composition and the cultural stories behind decoration.

Paying homage to my Northern mining roots, I’m exploring the historical ‘whole cloth quilt’ combined with what my grandma would call, ‘fancy work’

Rejecting traditional quilting motifs, I draw instead on the crafts experienced in my childhood living in Nigeria, Iran and India.

I'm particularly drawn to the overlooked worlds of tribal craft, folk art and vernacular handiwork. Often dismissed as merely decorative, or relegated to the realm of primitive art, these practices hold extraordinary skill, ingenuity and cultural significance.

A piece of fabric with embroidery and cut-out leaf patterns, some fabric swatches in pink, green, and beige, and a pink marble stone on a table.
Colorful beaded mosaic with nine overlapping circles of various colors, including red, yellow, peach, green, blue, black, and white, arranged around central black and white soda cans.

What fascinates me is how traditional craft can be adopted into a contemporary aesthetic without ever losing its cultural authority. I believe that handmade objects carry stories, and I'm captivated by the migration of techniques, materials and craftsmanship through time. The exchange of resources and ideas across cultural boundaries leaves traces – threads that can be followed backwards and forwards through history, revealing unexpected connections between people, places and traditions.

I'm interested in the possibilities that emerge when traditional craftsmanship is pushed into new territory. Combining considered design with skilled handiwork, I see decoration as something that can be both functional and enduring, while bringing character, curiosity and a sense of wonder to the spaces we inhabit.

If you have a project you'd like to discuss, I'd love to hear from you. Commissions are welcome. Get in touch.