Jennifer Knotts

My final year project Printed by Nature explores sustainable craftsmanship and environmentally conscious design through printed textiles for interior spaces that champion both beauty and innovation. Inspired by the British Arts and Crafts Movement, particularly the work and philosophy of William Morris, the project values handcraft, quality materials, and nature inspired design. Through my work, I explore our relationship to the natural world, emphasising that as humans, we are a part of nature rather than separate from it. These principles feel increasingly relevant within today’s textile industry, where fast fashion and mass production continue to contribute to environmental damage and unsustainable consumption.

Drawing inspiration from florals, leaves, and organic structures found across Scotland’s natural landscapes, through observation, photography, drawing, and printmaking, I translated these natural forms into expressive printed textile designs. At the centre of my practice is a desire to reconnect textile production with nature and encourage a slower, more thoughtful approach to design.

Sustainability informed every stage of the project. Rather than relying on synthetic textile dyes and chemically intensive processes, I explored natural dyeing and printing techniques using plant-based materials to create my own dyes and printing pastes. I experimented with natural modifiers to shift the pH of colours, embracing the unpredictability and uniqueness that naturally occurs through handmade processes. This process-led approach allowed me to create textiles that feel organic, individual, and connected to the materials they originate from.

Natural dyeing became a key part of my practice not only because of its lower environmental impact, but because it challenged the values of overproduction and perfection often linked to industrial textile manufacturing. Unlike synthetic dyes, natural dyes are biodegradable, non-toxic, and sourced from renewable materials. Their subtle tonal variations added individuality and reinforced the handcrafted quality of my work. Alongside this, sourcing fabrics and printing materials second hand, reduced waste and encouraged me to adapt creatively to available resources rather than relying on constant consumption.

Overall, the project reinforced my belief that sustainability in textile design should go beyond recycling, encouraging designers to think critically about sourcing, production, and the broader social and environmental impact of their decisions.