The Patchwork Park story so far...

I'm Jo Carey, the one person, creator/maker behind Patchwork Park.  I have always loved colour, fabric and pattern and have collected vintage textiles as a hobby for years.

I moved from Birkenhead to Nottingham where I gained a degree in Fashion design over 25 years ago and then worked in various roles within the fashion industry including trend forecasting, (ex WGSN).  I now make all my items from my home studio in Brighton.

 

New from Old

After having children, I felt the urge to begin creating again rather than documenting.  Inspired by quilting and patchwork, I began to make clothes from the fabrics I had collected, but felt re-energised and inspired by the idea of making new garments from old textiles - towels, tablecloths, tea towels, blankets and quilts.

 

Each of my pieces is unique and one-of-a-kind.  I source the best vintage textiles similar to the way I used to seek out interesting street fashion to photograph. I cut out, make, finish and (reluctantly) model each piece.

I was born in the 70's and have always loved 1960's/70's design.  Patchwork Park garments are always based on mid-century silhouettes.  I draw inspiration from vintage clothes patterns which I sometimes try to adapt, giving my pieces a retro look.

 

A Second Life

I love the idea that I am giving forgotten about fabrics a second life, so that they are no longer hidden in a cupboard but transformed into garments so that people can admire and appreciate their former glory.  I feel like I am a textile curator and custodian with the ability to resurrect the most special pieces and shine a light on their beauty.  I want to do these pieces of textile history justice. 

The fabric dictates the garment it’ll become and I try to cut out carefully to minimise waste and re-use any off-cuts for other pieces.  I use as many vintage notions and trims as possible, such as vintage buttons, which I love!   To make the business as environmentally friendly as possible, I only use recyclable packaging, business cards and biodegradable fabric garment labels.

 

Sustainable Choice/ Making a difference

I believe my customer is somebody who appreciates vintage design but is concerned about the planet and is happy to invest in good quality ethically made items as opposed to mass produced cheap fast fashion.  A consumer who knows their taste and wants pieces they can return to again and again that aren't trends or fads created from a resource that already exists rather than made by an industry that is generating millions of unwanted items and dumping billions of lbs of landfill waste per year.

I'd like to think I’m making a tiny difference by offering the consumer a choice to buy a re-purposed item rather than a mass-produced item produced in a sweatshop on the other side of the world.  It makes sense that my logo is a tree as I am trying to consider more than just fashion.  By buying from Patchwork Park you are supporting a more sustainable and ethical way of connecting with fashion.