Success Stories

Rebecca Doonan

Rebecca “Becky” Doonan is a British-Irish textile conservationist and skilled seamstress based in Maastricht, Netherlands. Becky’s journey into the world of textiles began with her BA (Hons) in Mixed Media Textiles and Ceramics from Bath Spa University, which she completed in 2014. Her passion for the intricate art of textile conservation led her to pursue an MPhil in Textile Conservation at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 2018. Becky's professional career kicked off with an internship at the Rijksmuseum Textile Conservation department in the summer of 2017. This experience was pivotal, providing her with the skills and insights that would shape her future work. 

Since 2018, Becky has worked as a freelance textile conservator and seamstress. Her daily activities are diverse and tailored to the projects she undertakes. In textile conservation, she is involved in writing treatment proposals, creating safe storage solutions for historical textiles, and meticulously repairing these precious objects. Her sewing work ranges from mending jeans and altering wedding dresses to crafting made-to-measure garments, with regular client fittings to ensure perfection. Additionally, Becky imparts her knowledge through private sewing lessons and small group textile craft workshops. 

Becky’s work is characterized by her love for hidden or unusual details, such as fun, unexpected pocket linings, contrasting buttons, interesting seamlines, and handworked techniques like embroidery. Although she doesn’t see herself as a traditional designer, she describes the clothes she creates for herself as colourful with fun details and interesting silhouettes. Her creative process is deeply inspired by vintage and antique clothing, particularly the intricate construction techniques and handworked details like smocking that were common in the past but are rarely found in modern garments. She teaches these techniques in her workshops, such as Beginner’s Embroidery and many different workshops for FASHIONCLASH. 

Becky's dedication to her craft is evident in her meticulous attention to detail and her respect for traditional methods. Whether preserving a piece of history or creating a custom garment, she approaches each project with the same level of care and creativity. Her ability to blend historical techniques with contemporary needs makes her a unique and invaluable professional in her field. Through her work, Becky Doonan not only meets but consistently exceeds expectations, making a significant impact in the world of textile conservation and sewing.