about me
Tamara Fiabane
artist / teacher
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My name is Tamara Fiabane and I originally come from the Alps in Northern Italy. I started sewing and making things with my hands as a young gal, copying and mimicking what the generations before me were doing: creating, mending, growing and making.
I come from a long line of seamstresses and tailors, growers, makers, carpenters and blacksmiths (basically all were Jacks of all trades) and grew up surrounded by traditional skills, resourcefulness, and a deep respect for the value of materials (you might call it hoarding – I call it collecting and sharing!).
Those early experiences shaped not only my love of textiles, fibres and creativity, but also my belief that making, sharing skills and caring for what we have are powerful ways to connect people and strengthen communities.
I'm a textile artist and artist educator who believes in the power of making to bring people together. Through sewing, upcycling, and collaborative textile projects, I create opportunities for people of all ages to connect, learn new skills, share stories, and rediscover the value of materials that might otherwise be discarded.
Sustainability sits at the heart of my practice, but equally important is the sense of belonging, pride, and achievement that grows when people create something with their own hands.
Whether working with school children, families, community groups or older adults, my aim is to foster creativity, encourage environmental awareness, and strengthen connections between people, place, and tradition.
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As a textile artist, I work mainly on wonderful commissions with fabrics, fibres, and found materials to explore stories of heritage, sustainability, and human connection.
My practice is rooted in hand-making, mending, and transformation, often using reclaimed, overlooked, or sentimental materials to create pieces that carry a sense of history and place.
Alongside hand and machine sewing, I have a particular love of wool and traditional fibre crafts, adding my own contemporary twist through needle felting, spinning, knitting, crochet, and bespoke commissions.
I am drawn to the beauty of slow processes, visible stitches, and imperfect textures, believing that textiles can hold memory, spark conversation, and encourage us to see value in what already exists. Above all, I believe creativity should bring joy, and that some of the most meaningful work happens when people come together to laugh, share stories, and make something with their hands.
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As an artist educator, I create welcoming spaces where people of all ages can learn practical textile and fibre skills, build confidence, and discover their own creativity.
Drawing on my love of sewing, wool, felting, spinning, knitting, and crochet, I encourage participants to experiment, problem-solve, and explore the creative potential of both new and reclaimed materials.
My teaching is rooted in connection, curiosity and the belief that everyone has something valuable to contribute. Whether sharing skills, stories, or a good laugh, I aim to create an environment where people feel comfortable learning, making mistakes, and enjoying the creative process without judgement.
I believe creativity should be accessible to everyone, and that learning through making can foster confidence, wellbeing, and a stronger sense of community.