Cloud Quilting takes data as the starting point to design quilt patterns in new ways. 'Data-inspired' patterns involve sorting and organising data in different ways to develop a pattern based on that data analysis. These patterns are playful explorations of specific data sets. 'Data-driven' patterns rely on topic specific algorithms created by a team (web developer, user interface designer, quilt designer) to generate a bespoke quilt pattern based on information you provide.
In both approaches, data is central to the quilt design process.
Claire Sowton brings to Cloud Quilting research interests in arts engagement, digital cultural heritage and data literacy, and a lifetime of making and unmaking, stitching and unpicking, creating, editing and reworking.