Rob Jones is a London based textiles artist, maker and teacher specialising in Japanese Textiles crafts, including Sashiko embroidery, Kogin counted thread sashiko, Boro style visible mending, Shibori resist and Katazome stencilling.
Rob first discovered Japanese textiles crafts at a Shibori and indigo dyeing workshop at West Dean College in 2011. A random pin on Pinterest then led him to international textiles artist, Bryan Whitehead and a trip to Japan to study with him in 2014.
It was a life-changing trip. After being made redundant from his eCommerce job in 2015 and with Bryan’s mentorship and support, Rob set up a teaching practice in London and started selling his work in a local gift shop.
He brings a group of students to Japan every year to work with Bryan and expand his knowledge of Japan and Japanese textiles crafts.
Joining the Muswell Hill Creatives in 2016 expanded his horizons and gave him the confidence to exhibit at MADE London, Handmade Kew and Handmade in Highgate.
He has worked with Levi’s creating outfits for Tinie Tempah and Zak Abel.
In 2022, his Sashiko and Boro inspired mending work was featured in the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee as inspiration for the contestant’s Japanese hand mending.
His pieced indigo dyed Shibori quilt was exhibited at the Japanese Embassy in London in the Summer of 2023 for their Aizome indigo dyeing exhibition.
Rob teaches at West Dean College (Sussex) and from autumn 2025 at their new Bloomsbury campus and at museums and embroidery groups around the UK. He also works out of his studio in Muswell Hill and online via Zoom, which allows him to reach a global audience.
“I love the quiet patience and sense of calm I get when I am stitching. It helps me switch off from the busyness of modern life”.
Rob’s favourite Japanese craft in Kogin, where he creates art with repeating motifs with a strong sense of colour. His work is characterised by the juxtaposition of contrasting and complimentary coloured motifs to make a larger pattern.
Press mentions: https://www.romordesigns.com/press