Studio Note 003

Suddenly... Internet!

5 April 2026

The third studio note! This week I rejoined civilisation with good internet and created a patchwork sashiko flat cap.

Hello Team! This is my third whole studio note - can you believe it?? I usually HATE writing but somehow find myself eager to share the progress of the last week! I was working on a patchwork sashiko flat cap made from scraps found around the studio - and it came out awesome! The patchwork flat cap will be available for sale soon. I have also been preparing for the next week, where I will have another crack at creating a pair of perfect fitting trousers. Planning for them to be high waisted, pleated, carpenter utility trousers. Playing around with a few different concepts and time periods for this one, of course the high waisted trope of Swirski continues, as well as the more recent pocket trope! As I am sitting here writing this, I still have some things to straighten out in the pattern, but I have faith that future me will do a good job of it. We have some exciting pieces coming soon! This week overall has been pretty good, though; the hat making process went smoothly, which should be the case, given I have made a handful of hats now. OH! Also, we have 2 new stamps!!! This is great news, as now I can actually brand the pieces. Spoiler: The stamps look dope. Thanks for reading and following along, and Happy Easter!! - Swirski Studio

So, what's been going on?

This week I have been making the hat, working on the next pattern & playing with the NEW AND IMPROVED internet - good shit! I tried using French knots with sashiko on the flat cap to emulate pop art dots - this went quite well and is VERY satisfying. It feels like a way to bring print language into construction—not printed, but built through stitch. Might be something to push further… a stitched halftone language. I have also been playing around with social media a bit - posting a bit differently styled content just to see how it does. THE STARLINK IS SO GOOD! I finally feel like a part of society again after living on like 5 mbps if I am lucky for over a year - i had better internet in the middle of nowhere in the Indonesian Ocean, btw. Also apparently there is like a flagship military surplus store on my doorstep??? So I will check this out and go scavenge some shit to use for pieces!

Music

Actually I haven't listened to much new music this week... I've been slacking a bit and being so hyper focused that I just work in silence -this is very unlike the studio, I know... lmao. BUT I have been listening to KMD (Doom's early music) and they have some bangers, and I highly recommend: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nSuxdNHDMiaYwdxnDKg0-EEzy6fWFtTEw

Finished piece: Patchwork Flat Cap

An oversized flat cap built from leftover Wrangler denim. I used a tablecloth as backing — giving the crown more presence and structure. I also used deadstock cotton as the inner lining, making it super comfortable for long wear. The added backing gives the crown weight — it holds shape but still collapses naturally when worn. One of one. Built from what was already here!

Notes

What I Learned

Patchwork order matters more than expected — early decisions lock in everything. I tried to not have the same tones next to one another and create contrast - as is in pop art! French knots introduce a different texture language (almost graphic, like print) Small accessories (like hats) are perfect for testing new stitch techniques Scrap limitation forces better composition.

Wins

The flat cap is so good! - 10/10 I am still posting consistently Cool ass stamps allow me to BRAND - finally!

To Improve

Video quality needs to improve - this is ongoing though TikTik / Insta followers need to grow! - in time

Material Log

Wrangler denim scraps (mid-weight, worn) Tablecloth cotton (structure layer) Deadstock cotton lining The contrast in weight creates the drape in the crown.