Whimsy Merribee

Meet Rachael Padfield

Rachael grew up in Suffolk but life led her eventually to Sweden where she has spent the past 10 years. There she came across triloom weaving. She started out on a small size, but moved on to create larger pieces and later to large scale rectangular loom. 

She took inspiration for her designs both from the yarns she used and the Scandinavian countryside around her and experiments with colour and texture using various fibres, from angora and mohair to fine soft mulberry silk. Many are hand-spun and some hand dyed. Subtle shimmers, sparkles and metallics, combined with long raw fringing, all contribute to creating the signature whimsical character of her work.

Rachael currently lives in a Suffolk village, in a small cottage with her cat Oliver and dog Charlie whom you will frequently see on her social media. She is currently experimenting with leather weaving and chunkier wool but continues to keep her whimsical styles as well.

“People think shawls are for old ladies, but I’ve given them a whimsical look that can been worn dressed up or down by any age. The most important thing to wear my garments is to remain young at heart, and keep a little bit of Whimsy around you”.