The Hated Herb by Matilda Blomgren
- Education
- Master
- Skill
- Industrial Design
- Focus area
- Design for Planet
- Year
- 2021
- Education project type
- Course
What
In this project, I have focused on changing the narrative of the hated weed Creeping thistle by using its hair-like pappus as a local material resource. The result of my experiments shows that the pappus works best as a stuffing material. Therefore, I continued making a functional quilted vest stuffed with pappus for users to wear and be confronted with the narrative of the thistle. The quilting pattern of the vest can be opened up and emptied, which allows a circularity of the pappus stuffing. Every autumn, when the pappus is blooming, users can refill their vest for the winter to make it warmer. In the spring, they can empty it to make it cooler for the summer.
Why
The Creeping thistle is an important plant for pollinators who are dependent on its nectar. But many people try to remove it from their garden since it is a fast-spreading weed. The final outcome, the vest, forces the user to follow the course of nature and thereby connect with it.This concept would result in an environmentally friendly material resource that would not disrupt any natural ecosystems. Most importantly, this concept would serve as an incentive for people to keep the Creeping thistles in their surroundings and consequently change its narrative.
How
By following the method of Material Driven Design, I have experimented with and manipulated the pappus through classic textile processes, such as carding, felting, and quilting.