Ruth Eadie from Ruthspatch

"As a designer and creator I take my inspiration from a number of sources. I have inherited a love of fabrics and sewing from my grandmother. Having trained as a seamstress with a tailoring firm in Christchurch she was widowed early in her marriage and would take in sewing and dressmaking to support her young family. 
As a child I would love to visit her and rummage through her cupboards beside the fireplace. She would encourage me to find a few special pieces of fabric to take home. I have inherited her practical nature, basket of nic nacs and colourful reels of cottons. 

I also take inspiration from the wonderful colours and designs in the creation around me. I love gardening, a pastime fostered by my mum, and have the pleasure of sewing from home in a sunny space overlooking my courtyard garden.

I have a fascination with mathematical designs and repeat patterns. My natural curiosity as to how and why things work has been developed over the years by my education and training in teaching and interior design and by a keen sense of observation. I love the satisfaction of designing something that is both beautiful and practical.

Thrift is an old fashioned concept which we now describe as revamping/upcycling – it's all about reusing materials and reducing wastage. There is something incredibly satisfying about finding old treasures and giving them a new lease of life – bringing our heritage into the present.
I refashion vintage NZ wool blankets into Baby Blankets with cotton trims and currently am developing a range of Hottie Covers with original hand-stitched wool designs"


Photos by Sarah Greig illustration & design

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