Scarlett Farrer is a sustainability and heritage focused textile artist and designer. She creates handwoven wall art using 100% natural British wool, hand spun into textured yarns made solely from the fleece’s natural colours and shades. Scarlett works directly with local farmers, collecting their unwanted sheep and alpaca fleeces. Each fleece is then hand processed in her studio at the Hugo Burge Foundation in the Scottish Borders. Every stage of the process is carried out by hand from picking, scouring, washing and carding the fleece to hand spinning the fibres on a 1982 Ashford spinning wheel and weaving on traditional looms with historic designs.

In May 2025 Scarlett relocated from her home studio in Surrey to the Scottish Borders after being selected for the Springboard Studios Programme funded by the Hugo Burge Foundation, a charity that supports artists and makers. She packed up her looms and her life to begin an exciting new chapter with the opportunity to deepen her craft in a supportive environment. Springboard Studios provides three dedicated studios for makers of different disciplines: Anna Ólafsson, a silversmith specialising in engraving, carving and chasing; Sarah Rhys, a children’s book illustrator; and Scarlett, whose practice centres on wool, spinning and weaving. The Foundation is also home to the Marchmont Workshop and Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop, alongside spaces for two monthly residencies that bring new creative talent to the Borders.

Every technique in Scarlett’s studio is chosen to ensure her work is as sustainable, ethical and traditional as possible. Her practice is rooted in the use of natural fibres, whether animal or plant. Every material is supplied by nature and at the end of its life can return to the earth through composting, completing a cycle in which the fibres’ minerals are given back to the soil. Tools and machinery are sourced second hand, keeping materials in circulation, while also honouring traditional and heritage equipment. This approach roots her practice in the past while bringing a contemporary sensibility. Scarlett’s commitment to heritage skills has been recognised nationally. In 2024 she was awarded Young Weaver of the Year by Heritage Crafts, supported by Rose Uniacke.

At the heart of her practice lies her motto: “Field to Fabric.” Originally conceived during her university final major project, this principle has since grown to define her entire body of work. During her studies she discovered the craft of hand spinning and the potential of British wool. Today she seeks to draw attention to a pressing issue: the decline in demand for British wool, which represents only 1.3% of the global textile market due to the dominance of synthetics. Through her work Scarlett highlights the beauty and natural character of wool aiming to reawaken appreciation for its value.