Saffron Craig: Meet a Textile-phile
FABRIC DESIGNER Saffron Craig loves creating and fabric is her ‘thing’. When studying at RMIT University Saffron took all the textile courses on offer, learning everything from knitting to printmaking, tailoring to weaving. As a budding fashion designer, she was constantly hand dyeing silk and printing fabrics for her couture. So by the time her mother-in-law ignited a passion for patchwork some years later, designing bespoke fabrics was second nature to Saffron. She promptly began hand-cutting screens to print fabrics for her quilts and a fabric line followed. These days, Saffron is devoting more time to teaching people how to screen print, dye and paint their own fabrics.
In 2012 she was selected as one of 10 artists to design a bespoke illustration for Lego’s 50 year anniversary in Australia. Saffron’s most recent works are inspired by the landscape of the Margaret River in remote Western Australia, a place where the famous desert wild flowers grow.
For Saffron, much satisfaction comes from inspiring young people and novices to create something with their hands. Her distinctive images and ever-changing palette are enticing all levels of sewers whether they are patchworkers, dressmakers or simply want to make a distinctive handbag, wallhanging or cushion.
Saffon will be demonstrate and teach hand painting and screen printing at selected Craft & Quilt Fairs this year.