Episode 15: Slow Stitching, hand work and up-cycling in Kuala Lumpur

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A love of textiles, colour and patterns is behind what Ming Hsu Lees produces in her custom, bespoke memory quilts and handmade projects. Living in a country where textile waste is prominent and quilt stores are few, she decided to explore sustainable options. We dive into a conversation about textile and food waste, keeping busy during the pandemic, and creating space for the healing and nurturing practice of slow stitching and a connection to family and community through textiles.

Ming lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Her quilting journey started 10 years ago, like so many of us,  with her daughter's request for a small quilt - a "sushi" saddle pad for her horse saddle and that ignited her passion for all things related to fabric and patchwork. Growing up, she was always told not to waste. Learning that over 2,000,000kg of textile waste end up in Malaysia's landfill daily,  prompted her to embrace quilting sustainably. She is passionate about up-cycling and tries to adopt that in all her work.

You can find Ming Hsu Lees on Instagram @itsybitsybespoke

Support the show

Follow Bridget O'Flaherty @thesustainablequilter on Instagram and @thesustainablequilter on Facebook.

You can find her online at www.bridgetoflaherty.com

Thanks to Isaac Matthews for the music, follow him on Instagram @hesjustakid