Whelan creates bespoke textiles, blending technical control and creative expression. She hand-weaves her designs, rooting her process in tradition. Yet her bold patterns and colourways, plus an interest in large-scale pieces, lend her textiles a contemporary edge. She uses ethically sourced UK wool, which she hand-dyes. Whelan also teaches woven textiles at the School of Art, Architecture and Design and works as a consultant designer.

What has inspired you lately?

I haven’t had a television for twelve years (I got addicted to watching Big Brother, and one day I just thought ‘no more!’), so I’m always looking for something to fill my evenings. Recently, that’s been collaging. Through researching collage, I discovered the London Collage Club and it’s blown my mind! People get together on a Saturday just to collage; I feel inspired that people choose to spend their spare time like this.

What are you making for Hastings Craft Weekend?

I’m developing the collages into pieces of art, which is not something I usually do. They’ll be collages, but in fabric, developed on a Jacquard loom which is linked up to computer software, allowing me to create something pictorial rather than pattern based. Alongside, I’m showing my new range of scarves. I’ll be weaving some of these onsite at a table loom, so people can see the pieces in process. Have you been working on a new pattern?

Yes, it’s called ‘where the waters meet’. In China, there is a place where the Pacific and Indian oceans meet. When they come together, they create an interesting ripple pattern that I’ve used as inspiration.

How do you come up with your colour combinations?

Good question! Because ‘where the waters meet’ is inspired by oceans, I took my colours from the sea on my doorstep in St Leonards. I photographed the sea in spring, summer, autumn and winter, developing four seasonal palettes. I’m also inspired by architecture (The Barbican is hands-down my favourite building in the world) and the palettes of places. What’s your favourite colour combination, right now?

Blue and orange. It’s always blue and orange.

How do you combine colours when you’re weaving?

The balance of colours depends on how they are woven together. Even if you have the same proportions of each, the dominance of one or the other depends on how you alternate them in the warp and weft. It’s quite technical, like mixing paints, but with yarn.

What’s your favourite material?

Wool. It’s sustainable, we have an abundance of it, it dyes really well, it’s biodegradable, it feels nice on the skin, it keeps heat brilliantly, it’s water resistant. People don’t realise how wonderful it is as a material.

When you’re working, what do you listen to, if anything?

Right now it’s Kathy Burke’s podcast: When There’s a Will, There’s a Wake.

Describe a good day in the workshop.

Sampling a new pattern and, as I start to weave and it starts to present itself, it looks either how I imagined or better. There is nothing quite like watching a pattern evolve on the loom and being genuinely impressed with it.

Tell me about an artist or maker you’ve recently discovered.

Not long ago, I bought a painting by Sue Nichol. I’m obsessed with it.

Apart from making, what’s your favourite thing to do?

Cooking, hands-down.

Interview by Kate Reeve-Edwards

You can find Claire Whelan on Instagram @whelansweaving Find out more about Hastings Craft Weekend here.