When Heritage Crafts Meet Technology

"We are not just reformulating patterns, but creating a documentation system that makes the Palestinian thobes an intelligent record that preserves the narrative of the land and its people."

That sentence — from Doa'a Al-Hinty's project documentation, a 2026 Fabricademy final project — is the best definition of the digital craftswoman.

The digital craftswoman is the person who refuses to choose between grandmother's stitches and a computer. She treats heritage as a living data platform, not a museum exhibit. She embroiders with thread and with code. And she is quietly rewriting what we mean by both "craft" and "technology".

This article is built on four student projects — every one of them public, documented and verifiable — plus the thinkers who shaped the field.

What is digital craftsmanship?

The term digital craftsmanship describes the fusion of traditional hand-skills with computational tools: 3D printers, digital looms, electronic thread, generative design. It is not craft replaced by machines. It is craft translated into a new medium — and often, into a new language that can carry the old knowledge further than the hand alone.

The intellectual foundations go back further than you'd think. In The Craftsman (2008), sociologist Richard Sennett argued that craft is not nostalgia but a mode of knowledge: "the craft of making physical things provides insight into the techniques of experience." For Sennett, the programmer is as much a craftsman as the goldsmith — because both pursue the desire to do a job well for its own sake.

More recently, the field has found its own researchers. Irene Posch, professor at the University of Art and Design Linz, has spent two decades building electronic tools inside textile traditions — her paper "The Matter of Tools: Designing, Using and Reflecting on Artistic Tools" (ACM DIS 2020) is a landmark in thinking about technology as an expressive material rather than a utility. At CHI 2025, a dedicated gathering on textiles convened the community around exactly this question: what can computing learn from cloth?

The digital craftswoman stands in this lineage, but she adds something the academy often forgets: a living heritage in her hands.

Recoded Tatreez: embroidery as a data platform

Doa'a Al-Hinty (Fabricademy 2025-26 - CPF Makerspace Amman, Jordan)

Tatreez — Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery — is one of the oldest documented textile traditions in the world; its patterns once identified a woman's village, her family, her story. The art of embroidery in Palestine was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021 - recognition, but also a warning: the craft is fragile.

Doa'a's project Recoded Tatreez ("a story of thousands of stories") turns the thobe (the traditional embroidered dress) into an intelligent record: a documentation system where "the stitch becomes a living data platform that tells thousands of stories that have not yet been told."

The intention matters as much as the technique: "not to replace the human hand that created them, but to enhance the resilience of this craft against extinction."

> Explore Recoded Tatreez - full documentation

Gratitude Loom & Threads Heritage: weaving, coded

The loom was the first computer — Jacquard's punched cards (1804) are the direct ancestor of the data card and the program. Two projects make that lineage visible:

• Gratitude Loom — Porpla Kittisapkajon (Fabricademy 2025-26): a ritual weaving instrument where the loom itself becomes a sensor of presence. Hall-effect sensors read the rhythm and attentiveness of every throw of the shuttle; a cloud-based pattern matrix responds. Sustained presence deepens the weave, distraction simplifies it. Craft, in this project, is not replaced by intelligence: it listens to it.

Murjan: a coral reef, printed in clay

Haneen Khaleel (Fabricademy 2025-26, Jordan)

Heritage isn't only about what our grandmothers made. It's also about the places that made us. Murjan (مرجان, "coral") is Haneen's project for the coral reefs of Aqaba, Jordan: a 3D-printed clay reef prototype for marine ecosystem restoration, built on a WASP 2040 clay 3D printer.

The project fuses architecture, computational design and fabrication into a low-carbon, biodegradable, locally-sourced material clay that gives coral larvae a surface to attach, grow and colonise. The form itself is generated from coral morphology: the shape of the reef is derived from the thing it is meant to shelter.

Why this matters now

1. Heritage is disappearing faster than we document it. UNESCO's Intangible Heritage lists grow every year — each inscription is a rescue operation.

2. The tools are finally cheap and open. Clay printers like the WASP, open-source looms and electronic thread cost what a sewing machine used to. The barrier between the craftsperson and the machine has collapsed.

3. The market is asking for meaning. Consumers and brands are tired of "sustainability" as a label; they respond to objects with a story that can be verified. A thobe whose stitches carry data is both.

Fabricademy participants train exactly this dual fluency: 13 projects in 13 weeks across digital fabrication, textiles and biology, guided by global experts and local mentors in 40+ labs worldwide — from Amsterdam to Amman, Boston to Puebla. You can study at a lab close to you, or from your home/lab!

Applications for the next cycle, beginning this September are still open!

Mainstream references: S. Lee, "Grow your own clothes" (TED2011) · D. Charny, Power of Making (V&A/Crafts Council, 2011) · Dezeen 3D-printing & coral-restoration coverage · WASP clay printing / construction 3D printing · B. Greer, Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism (2014) · UNESCO ICH, The art of embroidery in Palestine (2021).

Academic references: R. Sennett, The Craftsman (Yale University Press, 2008) · I. Posch, "The Matter of Tools" (ACM DIS 2020) · L. Jones et al., "Exploring Stitch Samplers as Contextual Instructions" (ACM DIS 2022) · Ueda et al., "Gathering Textiles at CHI" (2025).*

Terracotta 3D Printing in Design: From Wearable to Marine Habitat.

A wearable made of 3D-printed clay ending its life as an artificial reef.

What if a piece of fashion didn't end its life in a landfill but began a second one underwater, as a home for marine life?

That is the question behind Resurrect, a final project by Fabricademy student Simone Kiswani, built with terracotta 3D printing and an idea called the more-than-human perspective.
It's a garment. It's also a reef. And it's a working example of what additive manufacturing can do when design stops treating nature as a backdrop but as a client.

Watch the full final project video.

Fabricademy Project 2026 developed at CPF Makerspace, Amman, Jordan

What is Clay 3D printing?

Clay 3D printing (ceramic additive manufacturing) builds objects layer by layer from clay or ceramic paste, instead of utilising traditional processes and tools. The machine extrudes a 'soft clay filament' through a nozzle — like a pastry bag following a 3D model — and the piece is later dried and fired in a kiln, just like traditional pottery.

Where textile and fashion designers care about it: terracotta and other ceramic bodies can carry ornamental, organic geometries that are difficult or impossible to produce by hand or with moulds. Such as: lattice structures, undulating surfaces, forms that imitate coral, shell and bone. Resurrect uses a set of 3D-printed terracotta modules that reinterpret ornamental fashion through a sustainable lens.

The material itself matters as much as the process. Terracotta is one of the oldest human materials and one of the most naturaly porous and biodegradable, particularly suited for coral restoration.

Different types of clay studied and used in the Final Project.

The more-than-human perspective: designing for more than one life

The more-than-human perspective in design asks a simple, destabilising question: who are we designing for? Not only the wearer, not only the buyer - but the organisms, ecosystems and materials that will inherit the object after us.

Resurrect – Worn, Then Inhabited follows a multi-life design approach

1. First life — worn. The terracotta modules are assembled into a wearable, ritual-based piece of ornament.
2. Second life — inhabited. The garment is disassembled and reassembled underwater on a steel scaffold, where the modules transform into an artificial reef ecosystem, a structure that marine organisms can colonise.

The ritual gives the transition from object to habitat a deliberate, ceremonial quality: the piece is dismantled with intention. Design here questions "human hierarchy over nature", the assumption that objects exist only as long as we use them, and that "waste" is the end of a material's story.

It is a designed relationship between a human artefact and a marine ecosystem.

What this project proves about additive manufacturing education

Projects like Resurrect are built upon skills that every Fabricademy student develops throughout the 6-month program:

• Digital fabrication & 3D printing, computational design and 3D ceramic printing.

• Material innovation, biomaterials exploration and biocomposites, terracotta and its properties.

• Circular design, exploring how materials and objects can be designed for reuse, transformation and extended lifecycles.

• Interdisciplinary practice, connecting fashion, ecology, biology and technology through hands-on experimentation.

The full documentation including concept, process and thesis is public, as all Fabricademy projects are. Read more through the Thesis PDF.

How to learn this

Resurrect is one of 40+ final projects produced each year by Fabricademy students worldwide — designers, engineers, artists and scientists working at the intersection of Textiles, Digital fabrication and Biology.

The 6-month Fabricademy program gives you the skills behind projects like Resurrect, from 3D printing and digital fabrication to e-textiles, biomaterials, soft robotics and more. Work on 13 hands-on projects with guidance from global experts and local mentors across 20+ labs worldwide.

Applications are still open now for the next cycle. Apply at a lab close to you, or from home, anywhere in the world.

Resurrect — Worn then Inhabited by Simone Kiswani, Fabricademy 2025-26. All project images and documentation are published under Fabricademy's open documentation practice.

Project featued at MIT Media Lab, July 20226 Cambridge (USA).

Win a 50% Scholarship for Fabricademy in Lisbon, at BioLab Lisboa in Portugal

Are you interested in developing a unique career path at the intersection of Textiles, Digital Fabrication and Biology? The BioLab Lisboa Node in Lisbon is offering Particial Fabricademy Scholarships that provide up to 50% Off tuition for individuals aiming to gain practical skills in sustainable and technologically driven textile innovation.

Why to apply

The Fabricademy program equips participants with hands-on experience in 3D modeling, design for manufacturing and prototyping within a Fab Lab setting. Participants will engage with topics such as biodesign, circular design, electronic textiles, wearable technology and biobased sustainable solutions. The curriculum integrates practical learning with systems thinking, helping learners to address current challenges in the textile and fashion sectors through responsible and regenerative approaches.

The program brings together people from different fields to share ideas, learn from each other and create new solutions. It is open to applicants from art, design, engineering and science who want to experiment with new materials, tools and production methods.

Who Should Apply

We welcome individuals with a strong interest in fabrication, sustainability and emerging technologies. If you want to work on real-world projects that integrate biology, design and digital tools and if you're motivated to contribute to collaborative innovation, this program offers the structure and support to develop your ideas.

Contribute to the Future of Textile Innovation

This is a chance to build hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary environment that bridges creative, scientific and technical domains. Join a global network of learners and practitioners focused on knowledge-sharing and designing solutions with impact.

We look forward to reviewing your application. Contact us at info(at)textile-academy.org for any inquiries.

Fabricademy final project by Carlotta Premazzi @Biolab Lisboa (2025)

Master new skills and tools and become a pioneer in the field of fashion and biodesign

Check out the Program Explore Fabricademy Projects

Fabricademy Program Details

• Scholarship Title: Fabricademy Scholarship 2026 BioLab Lisboa
• Scholarship value: Covers up to 50% of the Fabricademy Program Tuition Fee
• Applicants tuition: Scholarship winners pay the remaining fee before the program starts in September
• Eligibility: Open to students, creatives and professionals worldwide

Selection Criteria

• Previous Experience: Preferable in digital fabrication, 3D modeling, or wearable tech
• Passion and motivation: Eagerness to learn, document and share knowledge
• Open Source: Committed to collaborative and open design principles

Scholarship Conditions

• Minimum 85% attendance and review participation
• Completion of the course within the 1st Evaluation Round (April 2027)
• Adherence to program terms, conditions and procedures
• Commitment to 30 hours per week
• No deferral; discontinuation revokes scholarship
• All work and files must be open source
• Selected work may be published by partners
• Check additional eligibility for funding or visa if applying internationally

Eligibility Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree or about to graduate
• Proficiency in English
• Apply via apply.textile-academy.org and choose BioLab Lisboa
• No specific skillset is mandatory—applicants from diverse backgrounds are welcome

For further information, please contact Fabricademy coordination at coordination@textile-academy.org. We look forward to your application!

If you've already applied to Fabricademy, email us to confirm your participation in the scholarship opportunity.

Note: This scholarship cannot be combined with other discounts (e.g., Early Bird).

Do not miss the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

Apply now at BioLab Lisboa!

The ArteFab Exhibition | 2026 Boston will open its doors from July 27 to 31, with a one-of-a-kind showcase at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge.

More than 60 projects developed across laboratories and institutions worldwide will be showcased across the categories Bio Inspired, Craft Encounters, Embodied Dialogues, Responsive Intelligence, Sculpting Algorithms and Useless Machines.

The exhibition features works from the Fabricademy Laboratory Network, the Fab Lab Network, Fab City, MIT Media Lab, Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA), Institute for Future Technologies (IFT), Nottingham Trent University, Parsons School of Design, and collaborations with researchers from the Max Planck Institute, Harvard University, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the National University of Singapore.

Among the Artists & Designers that will showcase their works

Ala' Janbek, Adriana Cabrera, Aijia Yao, Anastasia Pistofidou, Alessio Zazo, Alfonso Parra Rubio, Aline González Moreno, Amira Abdel-Rahman, Andrew Mark, Annabel Fournier, Annie Xing, Avantika Velho, Batoul Al-Rashdan, Behnaz Farahi, Carlotta Premazzi, Cedric Honnet, Chris Bathgate, Claire Cavanagh, Claire Jouanchicot, Corentin Chantereau, Daniela Maldonado, Daniela Maldonado Peralta, Dimitar Dimitrov, Dinesh Kumar, Doa'a Alhinty, Emma Briseyda Yanez, Enrico Bassi, Erika Mirzoyan, Frank Cong, Ganit Goldstein, Gigi Minsky, Ieva Maria Duharte, Irmandy Wicaksono, Jake Read, James Xiao, Jessica Stanley, Julia Koerner, Justin Wan, Kate Reed, Laura Muth, Liza Stark, Louis Bader, Louis Gaillard, Madalina Nicolae, Madeleine Olsen, Marc Teyssier, Marcela Gonzales Arias, Mariana Tamashiro, Markus F. ElKatsha, Marissa Renteria, Maxime Becker, Maximilian Guenther, Miana Smith, Miranda Li, Monserrat Ciges, Moon Ribas, Naim Al-Haj Ali, Neil Gershenfeld, Ola Muhanna, Paul Richard, Pattaraporn Kittisapkajon, Porpla Kittisapkajon, Rachel Freire, Raúl Babines, Renato Avila Claro, Ricardo Marquez, Rico Kanthatham, Romke Faber, Saetbyeol LeeYouk, Sam Sadtler, Samantha Sánchez Morales, Sergio Mutis, Simone Kiswani, Stephanie Johnson, Suhaib Kamal, Tania Safa, Thomas Juldo, Tomas Diaz, Vivien Roussel, Vlasta Kubusova, Yanchen Shen, Yuqiao Liao, Zahia Albakri, Zander Webster.

Check out the previous edition of ARTeFAB International Exhibition, organized during Fab 24 Mexico global Fab Lab Conference, at the historic landmark of San Roque in Puebla.

Reimagine the future at Fab26

This annual event embodies the unique spirit of the Fab Lab movement, gathering Fab Lab members, makers, educators, artists, academics, industry experts and policymakers. It is far more than just another conference; it is an event where attendees discover, discuss, envision and build community around digital fabrication, Fab Labs, technology, and innovation. This year, we are celebrating 25 years of the Fab Lab Network and re-imagining the next 25.

FAB26 brings the international Fab Lab community back to its birthplace in Cambridge and Boston. With events across both cities, participants will cross the Charles River's banks to explore all that this historic region has to offer. Daily conference activities center on the MIT campus and Fab Hub Kendall in the Kendall Square innovation district.

Fabricademy Appointments not to be missed!

Join 1,100 participants from around the world for FAB26 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this July.

Explore the schedule of activities and hands-on workshops and secure your ticket at fab26.fabevent.org

Join Fabricademy in September!

Ready to master new skills at the intersection between Textiles, Digital Fabrication & Biology?
Fabricademy Applications are still open for September!

Apply today at a lab close to you!

Fabricademy Bootcamp 2026 just concluded! +40 participants among textile enthusiasts, designers and makers traveled all the way to Dundalk from all over the world to learn, experiment, connect and co-create with international experts and the local community at CreativeSpark Dundalk.

Particiapants came from over 15 countries, including The Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Jordan, Mexico, Greece, China, the United States, Canada, the UK and all over Ireland.

The 2026 Textile Academy Bootcamp was hosted at the amazing Enterprise Fab Lab CreativeSpark, with the great support of Design & Craft Council of Ireland & Dundalk Credit Union.

Watch the full video by Seán McMahon

Bootcamp 2026 Highlights

DAY 01 - Fabricademy Ecosystem, Netowkring & Open Source Circular Fashion Workshop

Day one of the program introduced participants to the Fabricademy ecosystem, its interdisciplinary approach and open source philosophy, encouraging knowledge sharing, collaboration and experimentation across textiles, technology and digital fabrication.

Open Source Circular Fashion workshop

In the Open Source Circular Fashion workshop participants focused on sustainability and open source practices through collaborative knowledge sharing and responsible material approaches. Through hands-on experiments with materials and laser cutting techniques they rethought clothing production using modularity, adaptability and design for disassembly strategies in a zero-waste workflow.

Workshop led by Claudia Simonelli. Participants learned how to design adaptable garments using 3D modeling software and digital fabrication through laser cutting.

DAY 02 - BioMaterials, Screen Printing & 3D BioPrinting, Hands-on Workshop

Natural dyes and lake pigments for Screen Printing

The lecture led by Cecilia Raspanti, introduced participants to the topics of BioFabrication & Biochromes, learning about values-driven design and sustainability principles.**

Led by Cecilia and Grainne Murphy - Creative Spark Print Lab Coordinator - this hands-on workshop introduced participants to the fabrication of lake pigments and screen-printing inks derived from natural dyestuffs.

Participants learned the process of transforming natural dyes into stable pigments to craft direct printing inks for screen printing on textiles, where frames were impressed by silhouettes of native Irish plants, used to design their Fabricamp tote bags.

Experimenting with color and shades, they created unique prints while discovering sustainable approaches to textile coloring.
Among the inks created: madder, nettle, oak galls,...

Biofabricating Materials Workshop

The Biomaterial Fabrication workshop, led by Anastasia Pistofidou, explored material driven design through a variety of recipes, natural biopolymers such as alginate yarns made from seaweed, gelatin and natural latex, looking into eco-friendly solutions for fashion, textiles and product design.

They worked with different additives and formulations, creating conductive bioplastics that were later used in combination with electronics.

3D Bioprinting and Clay Workshop

The 3D Bioprinting Workshop, conducted by Carl McAteer & Claudia Simonelli, demonstrated the potential of 3D printing with a variety of biomaterials, including clay and alginate-based biodegradable pastes derived from local food waste.

Once printed and dried, the clay pieces were fired and transformed into durable ceramic objects.

DAY 03 - E-textiles & Wearables Workshop & a trip to Northern Ireland

E-textiles & Wearables Workshop

The lecture and hands-on workshop, led by Fabricademy alumna and Dr. of Engineering at Nottingham Trent University Jessica Stanley, introduced participants to integrating electronics into textiles and wearable systems.

Working with conductive and resistive materials, participants explored stitches, textile circuits and pressure-sensing techniques while creating their own soft sensors. Through prototyping and material experimentation, they gained a practical understanding of how electronics can be embedded within fabric. They used the FabriXIAO board and the e-textiles kits provided during the bootcamp, to develop a soft circuits and interactive sensor ready to be integrated into their future projects.

Seaweed Harvesting & Tasting

In the afternoon the bus with participants reached Crawfords Rock in Northern Ireland where they joined the family-run seaweed business operating near Kilkeel Harbour for a workshop rooted in local knowledge and tradition.

Together, we explored the shoreline, learned responsible seaweed harvesting techniques and discovered the many applications of Irish seaweed — from food seasonings and supplements to wellness products. The experience concluded with a seaweed tasting followed by a dinner at sunset.

Back at the lab, Fabricademy participants processed the harvested seaweed into materials for their final projects.

DAY 04 - 3D Printing for Fashion & Focus Groups

On the 4th day of the Bootcamp, Anastasia Pistofidou introduced participants to 3D printing Fashion and novel techniques for designing and 3D printing fabric.

Participants explored generative design with Grasshopper and managed to translate their concept and digital designs into 3D Printed textiles, exploring different filaments and ways to reshape fabrics.

DAY 04 & 05 - Focus Groups, Project Development

Participants applied the week’s learning through group projects within their focus areas.

Tufting with Claire McAteer

Claire McAteer introduced them to the process of creating tufted rugs using a tufting gun, yarn and fabric backing, while guiding participants through basic techniques of shaping and textile construction.

Screen Printing & Biomaterials with Cecilia Raspanti & Grainne Murphy

The group gathered the harvested seaweed and collaboratively processed the material to create a seaweed-based garment. They also explored silkscreen printing, developed lake pigments from locally harvested nettles and contributed to a shared biomaterials archive.

3D Printing + Fashion with Carl McAteer

The group formed by Carl McAteer, Galina Mihaleva and Stephanie Johnson focused on Fashion & Digital Craftmanship, featuring a 3D printed dress with integrated seaweed, fabricated through computational design and large scale 3D Printing.

Bioelectronics with Anastasia Pistofidou & Jessica Stanley

The group focused on merging Biomaterials & E-textiles, blending local heritage craft with electronic textiles and soft sensors.
They dove into local patterns and combined lasercutting, biomaterials and electronics in a collaborative installation that featured LED lights, felted wool, irish Seaweed and conductive biomaterials.

The group focused on biomaterials & E-textiles, blending local heritage craft with electronic textiles and soft sensors.
They dove into local patterns and combined lasercutting, biomaterials and electronics in a collaborative installation that featured LED lights, felted wool, irish Seaweed and conductive biomaterials.

3D Printing Modular Fashion with Claudia Simonelli

Day 06 | Open Exhibition at Foresters’ Hall, Dundalk

The closing exhibition & artist talks was held on the final day of the bootcamp and showcased a selection of Fabricademy International projects along with the ones developed at the Creative Spark Enterprise Fab Lab, the Fabricademy hub that will host the full program in September.

Fabricademy Bootcamp 2026 Ireland was possible through the support of Creative Spark Dundalk and our valuable sponsors, Design & Craft Council of Ireland & Dundalk Credit Union.

Photo Credits:
Claudia Simonelli | Fabricademy &
Seán McMahon

Always wanted to explore the Future of Textiles, Technology and Bio-Design and learn skills in high-demand? Apply to Fabricademy this September at a lab close to you, anywhere in the world!

View Course Brochure and learn more about Fabricademy

THINK MAKE STEAM | THINKING · MAKING · (R)EVOLUTION🧵🧫⚗️

Fabricademy will be at International Exhibition Maker Faire Sardinia - May 2026, showcasing some of the latest projects developed in different labs in the world.

Do not miss the chance to meet in person with our alumnae representing the program and check out their projects merging textiles, electronics and bio-design.

📍Join us on May 29–31, 2026 in Sardinia at Archaeological Museum in Olbia!

More at: Maker Faire Sardinia 2026

A sneak peek at some of the projects showcased 🔍

Threads of Tradition By Erika Mirzoyan, developed at FabLab Armenia

The project combines cultural research in Armenia with hands-on experimentation in natural dyes, embroidery and electronic textiles. Armenian nature and mythology, such as the Sun and Moon, Fire and Water, mountains, stars and ancient vishapakars—serve not only as visual references, but as narrative anchors shaping the material choices of the work. Envisioned as both an artistic and educational object, Threads of Tradition speaks to museums, galleries and learning spaces, aligning with Fab Lab Armenia’s mission to connect heritage, sustainability and contemporary design through making.

Learn more about her Fabricademy journey

Ocean Breath By Laura Muth, developed at IBERO IDIT Puepla, Mexico

The project proposes an interactive body-worn installation made from biofabricated Sargassum structures positioned on the torso close to vital organs creating an interface between the human body and the ocean. The wearable reacts subtly to bodily data such as breath, heartbeat and movement translating internal rhythms into gentle motion, texture changes and light.

By turning the body into a temporary host for a marine material the project blurs the boundaries between human physiology, digital systems and oceanic life. Inspired by the massive accumulation of Sargassum along the coasts of Mexico and the Caribbean it addresses the environmental impact and abundance of this seaweed by exploring its potential as a living resource rather than waste. Sargassum exists in a state of contradiction both pollutant and opportunity, excess and material for new forms of interaction and sustainability.

Learn more about her Fabricademy journey

Ready to master new skills at the intersection between Textiles, Digital Fabrication & Biology?

Fabricademy Applications are still open for September!

Step into a global network of creators shaping the future of fashion, biology and technology. This is your chance to design the world ahead

Apply today at a lab close to you!

A new series of projects shaping new futures in Textiles, Technology & Bio Design

Fabricademy 2025–26 has officially come to an end, featuring 40 unique final projects from a global community of innovators. This year’s work expanded the boundaries of soft fabrication, material research, and open innovation.

From botanical dye applications and AI-integrated weaving looms to modular reconfigurable garments, bio-inspired interactive installations, wearables with integrated solar panels, and 3D-printed clay, our graduates investigated new relationships between craft, technology, and sustainability. Projects also explored more-than-human design for marine ecosytems, fish skin materials, 3D-printed heritage and wool-based solutions.

Ready to get inspired? 🔍

Click on any image to discover how these pioneers are shaping the future of textiles, craft, and sustainable design.

👉 Discover them all HERE

Ready to be the next pioneer?

Fabricademy Applications are still open to study with us this September!

Step into a global network of creators shaping the future of fashion, biology, and technology. This is your chance to design the world ahead.

Apply today at a lab close to you!

Annual Bootcamp 2026 | May 25-30, Dundalk, Ireland

Sustainability • Circular Fashion • Digital Fabrication • Biomaterials • E-Textiles • Wearables

🔗 Explore the full schedule & register now at bootcamp.textile-academy.org

5-Day Intensive Program Connecting Sustainability, Textile Innovation & Digital Crafts

The upcoming Bootcamp 2026 will be held in Ireland, hosted at Creative Spark Dundalk between May 25–30th, bringing together textile innovation through hands-on experimentation, cutting-edge technologies and future-forward sustainable design practices.

This immersive week brings together designers, educators, technologists, artists, and professionals to explore high-impact topics shaping the future of textiles:

Modular and zero-waste garment design

Biomaterials development & Bioprinting

Sustainable and circular fashion strategies

Silk screen printing with Natural Pigments

Parametric couture and 3D printed fashion

E-textiles, Crafted Sensors, Soft Circuits

Seaweed Harvesting and food tasting

Material-driven innovation & regenerative design

Crafts and Tufting

Only 30 seats available. Secure your spot early! > Purchase your ticket here

Check the detailed schedule

Plan your travel

The Fabricademy Bootcamp is the best starting point for anyone interested in the 6-month Fabricademy Program, offering a first-hand experience of its collaborative environment, experimental approach to shaping textile futures and the opportunity to learn directly from the founders of the program and invited experts.

What to expect from the Bootcamp?

See highlights from the past Fabricademy Bootcamp in Brussels to understand the experience, methodology, and outcomes.

The annual gathering of the Global Maker Community in Czech Republic was filled with inspiring talks and collaborative working groups and hands-on activities that brought people and ideas together. Among the highlights of the event, a sneak peek into last week’s Fabricademy workshops, the Graduation ceremony and the final Exhibition featuring Fabricademy alumni, invited local designers and the 2025 final projects.

Fabricademy Workshops & Working Groups at Fab25

Fabri Xiao Workshop, in collaboration with Fabricademy Node Fab Lab Leon, focused on combining the Fabricademy Xiao microcontroller, sewing techniques, conductive thread, flexible silicone wire COB LEDs to personalize a wearable hat with a soft e-textile push buttons.

Open Source Circular Fashion Workshop, focused on modular and reconfigurable garments and structures designed to be zero-waste and produced using laser cutting techniques.

Soft Robotics Workshop, in collaboration with Adriana Cabrera and Fabricademy Alumna Saskia Helinska, where participants investigated movement using heat transfer vinyl techniques to prototype interactive, responsive structures.

3D Printing on Fabric Workshop, in collaboration with Josef Prusa Research and Fabricademy Alumna Batoul Al-Rashdan.
A hands-on workshop focused on learning how to reshape texitles with 3D Printing Technology.

Fabricademy Alumni Talks & Highlights

Fabricademy Alumni showcased their final projects at #Fab2025, connected to themes of local heritage, community, technology and artisanal craftsmanship. Among them: Shefali Desai, Surzhana Radaneva x Mekanika, Kohshi Katoh.

Kohshi Katoh, from Skylab Workshop Japan & Toyota Motor Corporation, presented his Fabricademy Final Project on stage an accessible, digitally fabricated kinetic seat to be locally made in Kenya.

Watch the talk on youtube

Fabricademy Exhibition 2025, Prague | ArteFab 2025

The textile industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, propelled by an urgent need for a more environmental conscious future and supported by advancements in personal fabrication, biotechnology, innovative materials, 3D modeling and local distributed manufacturing.

This exhibition serves as a window into this dynamic landscape, where creativity and personal visions weave future narratives of textile, material production and consumption.

Projects displayed featured root-grown and bio-based garments, bacterial-dyed textiles, material and color archives, technical and magnetic fabrics, interactive gloves, educational books and kits for learning electronics, 3D printing reinterpretations of heritage, sensor-based wearables and costume designs, and works combining embroidery, novel materials, and local culture.

Cecilia Raspanti, Asli Aydin Aksan, Michelle Vossen, TextileLab Amsterdam
HaptiColor

Participants of ArteFab 2025

Adriana Cabrera, Ala' Janbek, Anastasia Pistofidou, Anoush Arshakyan, Asli Aydin Aksan, Barbara Rakovska, Batoul Al-Rashdan, Cecilia Raspanti, Dima Hejap, DineshKumar Gunasekaran, Erika Mirzoyan, Fatemeh Mollaie, Florencia Moyano, Ieva Marija Dautartaitė, Jessica Dias, Klára Malo, Laura Muth, Maricruz García Chávez, Mekanika, Michelle Vossen, Naim Al-Haj Ali, Nela Bartáková, Nelly Puertas, Ola Muhanna, Rawan Aziziyeh, Raul Babines, Suhaib Kamal, Surzhana Radnaeva, Zahia Albakri, Zander Webster.

The Exhibition wouldn't be possibile without the amazing team of Makemore.cz and Prusa Research that contributed 3D printing custom mannequins.

Learn more about the projects

Check out the Virtual Exhibition 2025 & the Exhibition Catalogue

Want to explore the Fabricademy Program and the opportunities to learn with us this September? 🎓

Check https://textile-academy.org/apply/ or email us at info@textile-academy.org

#FABRICAMP 2025 BRUSSELS | Belgium

A Fabricademy training week hosted at Green Fabric and CityFab1, concluded with the exhibition at MakerFaire Brussels!

The 2025 Textile Academy Bootcamp took place in Brussels, bringing together 30 participants, from students to professionals and educators from over 15 countries, including New Zealand, Mexico, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Scotland, Ireland, the United States and, of course, Belgium.

Bootcamp Highlights 2025

DAY 01 - Mycelium, Bio-Materials and Bacterial Dyeing Workshop

Day one of the program centered on sustainability and biofabrication, featuring lectures and three hands-on workshops. Participants were introduced to material driven design, including bacterial dyeing techniques, the crafting of biodegradable biomaterials, and the growth of mycelium composites.

Mycelium Workshop

One of the highlights of the day: a special session in collaboration with Annah-Ololade Sangosanya our alumna and PHD candidate at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Bacterial Dyeing Workshop

In this hands-on workshop led by Cecilia Raspanti, on bacterial dyeing, participants learned how to cultivate pigment-producing bacteria directly onto fabric and grow living colors.

Biofabricating Materials Workshop

The Biomaterial Fabrication workshop, led by Anastasia Pistofidou, explored material driven design through a variety of recipes, natural biopolymers such as alginate yarns made from seaweed, algae and gelatin based leathers and composites, looking into eco-friendly solutions for fashion, textiles, and product design.

Several DIY personalized materials were crafted during the sessions, hard and flexible bioplastics, alginate and alginate bio-threads, using various pigments, colors and local additives.

DAY 02 - Exploring Circularity, OS Circular Fashion & Permafungi Visit

Open Source Circular Fashion Workshop

A full day dedicated to exploring circular fashion and design systems. In this workshop led by Claudia Simonelli participants learned how to design adaptable garments using 3D modeling software and digital fabrication through laser cutting. They explored modular design strategies and open-source collaboration to create customizable clothing that evolves, reconfigures, and supports waste reduction and circularity in fashion.

The session on modular fashion took place at CityFab1, in collaboration with FabLabs Brussels. Participants experimented with vectorial design options and patterns, while learning how to design modular soft connections for reconfigurable patterns.

Factory visits - Permafungi

At Permafungi, in the heart of Brussels, a guided tour offered a living example of local food production. Participants gained insights into how coffee waste from local cafés is transformed into mushrooms and compost, demostrating how waste can be reimagined as a resource.

Founded in 2014, Permafungi recycles coffee grounds into mushrooms and fertilizer, advancing sustainable urban farming and circular economy.

DAY 03 - Digital Knitting/Embroidery/Felting Workshop & Focus Groups

Digital Knitting Workshop

This hands-on workshop led by Stephanie Vilayphiou from Green Fabric, explored the potential of knitting with code. Using the Kniterate machine and custom software, participants turned their digital sketches into soft, looped swatches, playing with patterns, colors and storytelling.

Digital Embroidery Workshop

This session, led by Valentine Fruchart from Green Fabric, introduced participants to digital embroidery using a 2D vector software. Through vectorial design, lines, shapes and custom fonts, they created personalized embroidered designs.

Recycling, Felting Workshop

In this hands-on workshop, participants experimented with open source machines and shredders to mechanically recycle textile waste. They learned how to process discarded fabrics into reusable fiber blends, exploring circular design through material transformation, felting, and other sustainable remanufacturing techniques.

DAY 04 - Tour in Ghent & E-textiles & Wearables Workshop

On the 4th day of the Bootcamp, participants met early in the morning heading to Ghent, for an exclusive tour of the Centexbel Research Center.
There, we had the unique opportunity to hear and learn from the researchers about their work on fibers, textiles and coatings as well as the chance to explore the center and machinery in action.

Centexbel Research Center in Ghent is a leading Belgian research center supporting the textile and plastics industries with innovative, sustainable technologies. Founded in 1950 by Fedustria, it helps companies enhance performance and integrate advanced solutions.

E-textiles & Wearables Workshop

In the afternoon, Participants explored e-textiles and wearable technology in a session led by guest lecturer Rebekka Jochem. They experimented with soft circuits, using conductive fabrics, DIY electronics, and thermochromic inks to create a customizable smart textile pouch.

DAY 05 - Focus Group, Project Development

Participants applied the week’s learning through group projects within their focus areas.

One group explored mycelium research, experimenting with natural dyeing techniques for mycelium-based leather. Another group focused on augmented traditional embroidery, blending heritage craft with electronic textiles and soft sensors. The final group investigated textile recycling and biocomposite leathers, using shredded yarns, alginates, and natural dyes to create two fully compostable bioplastic corsets.

Projects Presentation @CityFab1

Participants officially presented the projects developed in the focus groups and celebrated the closure of the Bootcamp with an aperitivo at CityFab1.

Day 06 | @MakerFaire Brussels 2025

Soft Robotics Demo

At the Maker Faire, Anastasia Pistofidou ran demos on soft robotics and inflatables, inviting the visitors to explore biomimicry through hands-on prototyping of flexible vinyl structures.

Fabricademy @MakerFaire Brussels 2025

At the Faire, we had the honor to host the exhibition showcasing groundbreaking projects developed by Fabricademy international participants and labs from around the world as well as the Boocamp Participants at Green Fabric.

Among them, interactive wearables, electronics kits, biobased material libraries, biodegradable dresses and sculptures grown with mycelium and experimental garments made through 3D printing and fabric manipulation.

Fabricademy Bootcamp 2025 Brussels was possible through the support of Green Fabric and our valuable sponsors.
With the local participation of MakerFaire Brussels and Cityfab1.

Photo Credits:
Claudia | Fabricademy
Marica De Michele

Curious to explore the Future of Textiles, Technology and Bio-Design?. Apply to Fabricademy this September at a lab close to you, anywhere in the world!

View Course Brochure and learn more about Fabricademy

50% Fabricademy Tuition Scholarship on European Wool Research

Our Node, Le Textile Lab LYON is seeking candidates interested in developing projects centered around affordable, open-source, and user-friendly technologies to support small-scale wool processing and businesses involved in the Alpine wool ecosystem.

Why Apply

Across Europe, sheep farming primarily serves the food industry, but wool—an abundant and natural byproduct—is often discarded as waste — frequently burned or illegally buried. For textile designers focused on sustainable fashion and circular economy practices, this overlooked material offers a valuable opportunity and challenge to innovate with natural fibers, reduce waste, and create eco-conscious textiles from locally sourced wool.
During the six-month Fabricademy training program, the participant will have the opportunity to develop skills in digital fabrication, biodesign, circular design, and embedded electronics, and to apply these skills to an applied research project focused on open-source solutions for small-scale wool production and design solutions.

The program follows an ethos of open innovation, encouraging collaboration and the sharing of knowledge. It welcomes applicants from diverse fields—including art, design, engineering, and science—who are looking to apply their perspectives to new materials, processes, and local manufacturing.

Who Should Apply

We welcome individuals with a strong interest in fabrication, sustainability, and emerging technologies. If you want to work on real-world projects that integrate biology, design, and digital tools, and if you're motivated to contribute to collaborative innovation, this program offers the structure and support to develop your ideas.

Contribute to the establishment of a new regenerative era of European wool innovation.

This is a chance to build hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary environment that bridges creative, scientific, and technical domains. Join a global network of learners and practitioners focused on knowledge-sharing and designing solutions with impact.

We look forward to reviewing your application. Contact us at info(at)textile-academy.org for any inquiries.

Join the research of the European Ecosystem WOOLSHED and develop an in-depth project on lab scale wool production.

Check out the Program

Scholarship Details

• Scholarship Title: Woolshed Fabricademy Scholarship 2025 Lyon
• Scholarship value: Covers 50% of the Fabricademy Program Tuition Fee
• Applicants tuition: Scholarship winners pay the remaining fee (USD3750) before the program starts in September
• Eligibility: Open to students, creatives, and professionals worldwide that are interested in working on wool, open source design and machines.

Selection Criteria

• Previous Experience: Preferable in digital fabrication, 3D modeling, or programming
• Passion and motivation: Eagerness to learn, document, and share knowledge
• Open Source: Committed to collaborative and open design principles

Scholarship Conditions

• Minimum 85% attendance and review participation
• Completion of the course within the 1st Evaluation Round (April 2026)
• Adherence to program terms, conditions, and procedures
• Commitment to 30 hours per week
• No deferral; discontinuation revokes scholarship
• All work and files must be open source
• Selected work may be published by partners
• Check additional eligibility for funding or visa if applying internationally

Do not miss the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.
APPLY HERE and choose Le Textile Lab Lyon

Winners Announcement

Winners announced: July 15

For further information, please contact Fabricademy coordination at coordination@textile-academy.org. We look forward to your application!

Discover the Future of Making at Maker Faire Brussels 2025 🧵🧫⚗️

Fabricademy will be part of the upcoming International Exhibition Maker Faire Brussels 2025 🇧🇪 where we’ll be showcasing innovative participants' projects alongside work by emerging designers and researchers from across Europe! All merging new technologies, craftsmanship, digital & bio-fabrication.

You will discover mycelium-based materials, extile exploration kits, and brand-new 3Dprinted and wearable solutions - presented for the first time in Belgium.

📍Join us on May 24–25, 2025, in Brussels, for the conclusive weekend of the Fabricademy Bootcamp. A celebration of cutting-edge experimentation in fashion, tech, and circular design.

Location: FabCity 1, Brussels
Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre 160 - 1020 Brussels (Laeken)
More at: Maker Faire Brussels 2025

A sneak peek at some of the projects showcased 🔍

Ready to master new skills at the intersection between Textiles, Digital Fabrication & Biology?

Fabricademy Applications are still open for September!

Step into a global network of creators shaping the future of fashion, biology, and technology. This is your chance to design the world ahead

Apply today at a lab close to you!

40 Projects Showcasing the Future of Textiles, Technology & Biology!

Fabricademy 2024–25 has officially wrapped up, featuring 40 unique final projects from a global cohort of innovators! This year’s work pushes the boundaries of soft fabrication, material research, and open innovation.

From interactive art installations and open-source digital weaving looms to biomaterial experiments using human blood, the sustainable reuse of human hair, bio-based coatings, and digitally hand-crafted leather molding, our graduates have explored the cutting edge of fashion tech and material futures.

Ready to get inspired? 🔍

Click on any image to discover how these pioneers are shaping the future of textiles, craft, and sustainable design.

👉 Discover them all HERE

Ready to be the next pioneer?

Fabricademy Applications are still open for September 2025!

Step into a global network of creators shaping the future of fashion, biology, and technology. This is your chance to design the world ahead

Apply today at a lab close to you!

50% Scholarship for Fabricademy in Montreal, at EchoFab Montreal

Are you interested in developing a unique career path at the intersection of textiles, digital fabrication, and biology? The EchoFab Montreal Node in Montreal is offering 5 Fabricademy Scholarships that provide 50% Off tuition (equivalent to 4000 USD) for individuals aiming to gain practical skills in sustainable and technologically driven textile innovation.

Why Apply

The Fabricademy program equips participants with hands-on experience in 3D modeling, design for manufacturing, and prototyping within a Fab Lab setting. Participants will engage with topics such as biodesign, circular design, electronic textiles, wearable technology, and biobased sustainable solutions. The curriculum integrates practical learning with systems thinking, helping learners to address current challenges in the textile and fashion sectors through responsible and regenerative approaches.

The program follows an ethos of open innovation, encouraging collaboration and the sharing of knowledge. It welcomes applicants from diverse fields—including art, design, engineering, and science—who are looking to apply their perspectives to new materials, processes, and production methods.

Who Should Apply

We welcome individuals with a strong interest in fabrication, sustainability, and emerging technologies. If you want to work on real-world projects that integrate biology, design, and digital tools, and if you're motivated to contribute to collaborative innovation, this program offers the structure and support to develop your ideas.

Contribute to the Future of Textile Innovation

This is a chance to build hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary environment that bridges creative, scientific, and technical domains. Join a global network of learners and practitioners focused on knowledge-sharing and designing solutions with impact.

We look forward to reviewing your application. Contact us at info(at)textile-academy.org for any inquiries.

Master new skills and tools, and become a pioneer in the field of fashion and biodesign

Check out the Program Explore Fabricademy Projects

Fabricademy Program Details

• Scholarship Title: Fabricademy Scholarship 2025 Echofab
• Scholarship value: Covers up to 50% of the Fabricademy Program Tuition Fee
• Applicants tuition: Scholarship winners pay the remaining fee before the program starts in September
• Eligibility: Open to students, creatives, and professionals worldwide

Selection Criteria

• Previous Experience: Preferable in digital fabrication, 3D modeling, or wearable tech
• Passion and motivation: Eagerness to learn, document, and share knowledge
• Open Source: Committed to collaborative and open design principles

Scholarship Conditions

• Minimum 85% attendance and review participation
• Completion of the course within the 1st Evaluation Round (April 2026)
• Adherence to program terms, conditions, and procedures
• Commitment to 30 hours per week
• No deferral; discontinuation revokes scholarship
• All work and files must be open source
• Selected work may be published by partners
• Check additional eligibility for funding or visa if applying internationally

Eligibility Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree or about to graduate
• Proficiency in English
• Apply via apply.textile-academy.org and choose EchoFab Montreal
• No specific skillset is mandatory—applicants from diverse backgrounds are welcome

For further information, please contact Fabricademy coordination at coordination@textile-academy.org. We look forward to your application!

If you've already applied to Fabricademy, email us to confirm your participation in the scholarship opportunity.

Note: This scholarship cannot be combined with other discounts (e.g., Early Bird).

Do not miss the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

Apply now at EchoFab!

Annual Bootcamp 2025 | May 19-24, Brussels

🔗 Check the Schedule and Book your spot today at bootcamp.textile-academy.org

5 intensive days | Between sustainability, crafts and technology

The upcoming Bootcamp 2025 will be held in Brussels and hosted at our node Green Fabric between May 18-24th!

Check out the Program and plan your travel ahead to Brussels, for an immersive experience, hands-on activities with experts, factory visits and social activities.

This immersive week-long program brings together creatives, technologists, designers and professionals to explore topics such as sustainability, circular and modular fashion, digital knitting and embroidery, biomaterials design and mycelium-based composites, e-textiles, wearables and soft robotics.

During the week participants have the opportunity to visit local factories and innovation hubs, engage in networking activities and showcase their projects at the international MakerFaire Brussels.

*The bootcamp is limited to a maximum of 30 participants.

Book your spot today!

Plan your travel

The Textile Academy Bootcamp is the best introduction to the Fabricademy 6-month Program, offering a great selection of the 13 Fabricademy Classes while focusing every year on specific topics.

What to expect from the Bootcamp?

Learn from the past Fabricademy Bootcamp in Armenia

Apply here to the full course