I asked the participants to write a few words about the fabrics they brought. Here are a few examples:

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Paul writes:

Hand-dyed fabrics:

I use old bed sheets as my material, wash them thoroughly, and mordant them with tannin and alum. For dyeing, I use materials from Frankfurt, from my neighborhood: onion skins from my kitchen and acorns from the park. Using various batik techniques and post-treatment methods, I can achieve a wide range of shades that remain hidden in the raw materials.

The lining fabric of my husband’s and my wedding suits:

I sewed the suits myself; they’re a collaborative effort that combines my craftsmanship with our relationship. In a suit, the lining is what’s closest to the body. With the fabric scraps, I can share our bond with others.

Unfortunately, I won’t be in Frankfurt for the workshop discussion, and I think that’s a real shame! I wish you all a wonderful evening.

Let’s definitely stay in touch! I’d be thrilled if we could meet up outside of the workshop to work together sometime :) As we mentioned on Tuesday—I believe there’s a lot to be gained from working together. I keep thinking about the “Solitude Community Rhythm” by quilter Zack Foster: https://www.zakfoster.com/seamside/2025/10/31/welcome-to-wonder-year-5atbw-5kpdy-27p8z-xxy4d-hmkap-t5d23-3n766-wd2em-w8bmm-gdrzj-kdggd

Thanks again to you, and also to Andrea and Sonja, for the wonderful time. I might be back too late to help embroider the names; otherwise, I would have loved to help with that—but hopefully this won’t be the last time!

 

Claudia writes:

I had brought along a scrap of light olive-colored silk. This is the remnant of a lining fabric for a dress with a block-print pattern that a seamstress in Frankfurt (Carin Wagner) sewed for me at least 12 years ago—a dress I unfortunately no longer wear at all, since the final result turned out quite differently from what I had imagined.

This olive-colored silk—as I realized during the one evening I attended—suddenly came much more into focus as I focused intensely on it, revealing its wonderful texture and magnificent color.

Since the focus was no longer on subjective issues (fit, style, etc.) but on a puff (and on something we were all working on together), I was able to view the fabric a bit more objectively. It was the first time I’d actually held it in my hands as the one making it (with a seemingly simple object that nevertheless allowed for a few variations), which helped ease my anxiety a bit and lowered my inhibitions about trying my hand at fabric projects—since I regularly fall short of my own standards. I love fabrics and have a small stash of them; with small projects, I might be able to face my fear of failure head-on.

In the end, I made three puffs—two (one very small and one slightly larger) from this olive-colored silk.

The group was also comforting and helpful, and it was really a lot of fun.

 

Sonja writes:

My fabric was a blouse that I absolutely loved wearing for years. I loved it so much that eventually the fabric tore. I kept it in my “work clothes” pile until it finally got to be part of our quilt :)

 

Silke writes:

I brought some “heart fabric” because I was truly looking forward to the event, and this sewing project is also very close to my heart.

Then I had some fabric from my childhood—from the doll carriage of my beloved doll. I found the combination of old and new really exciting.

And then there was another fabric with big ice cream trucks for my kids. I like the way it feels to the touch.

I packed the yo-yos in organza—as a nod to something very precious that you’d want to keep safe like a little treasure…which will also serve as input for the workshop talk that I won’t be able to attend.