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Returning to education in my late 20s with Textiles at Cardiff Met

Nicola sewing on a machine at home
Nicola sewing on a machine at home

I have always had a passion for being creative and assumed that I would go to university when I finished school. However life took me on a different path.

When I was 18, I was more interested in getting a full-time job and earning money than continuing my education. As the years went on, I thought the opportunity had passed me by, especially as I had begun a career in accounting.

After some encouragement from some friends, I booked a place on one of Cardiff Met’s Open Days to see what was on offer. Although I booked on to attend the Fine Art course open day, during the tour of the campus facilities, I walked through the stitch workshop and it was like a light went on – this was where I wanted to be.

I had always had a passion for sewing, learning from a young age on my great-grandmothers sewing machine as a child. Interiors also interested me, so it all made sense. The facilities available at Cardiff Met were amazing, so I knew it would be the right place for me to grow and expand my knowledge.

Cushions designed by Nicola
Some cushions I designed during my first year on the course.

My first two years has passed by in a whirl of fabric, print and stitch. In the first year, we were introduced to all the basics of textile design in mark making and encouraged to experiment as much as possible. The knowledge passed on by the tutors, technical demonstrators and academic staff has been invaluable, sharing their expertise and experience.

During our final second year project, we were introduced to the idea of how to create a pattern to seamlessly repeat and I found my calling. I have always been fascinated with patterns, but now when I look at a patterned cushion or wallpaper, I can see the repeat, rather than just appreciating the design.

The Field projects I have taken part in have mostly involved working with students from other disciplines on group projects. This was interesting as it gave us a sense of how people with different skillsets in industry work together to create a product collectively. It also gave me the opportunity to interact with new people and learn to appreciate their respective fields and experiences.

Nicola working on a styling project
Working on a Field project based around Interior Styling

Find out more about the Interior Styling Field Project Nicola took part in: