Atelier Veini is a studio located in Veininlaakso, Espoo, Finland, where Juulia Mäkipää creates unique hand quilted patchwork artworks from repurposed textiles. Follow along on Instagram: @AtelierVeini!

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The Story

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Atelier Veini is my passion project. I started my career in marketing and later studied to become a craft and mathematics teacher. The idea of running a craft business simmered during my years of studying and teaching, as I enjoyed creative hands-on work with different craft techniques. However, it took some time to find my unique path – one where I felt I could bring something new and interesting to the table.

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Eventually, I found my home in patchwork and quilting as a designer, artist, and artisan. My inspiration came when I encountered images of geometric quilts from the 1700s and early 1800s. Their intricate details and the immense craftsmanship of hand stitching deeply impressed me. To me, such a piece represented true luxury – art in the form of an interior textile. This marked the beginning of Atelier Veini's story: I envisioned mastering this technique and creating my own modern, distinctive interpretation of what I had seen.

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Mission, Philosophy and Inspiration

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My passion and mission are to promote a revival of quilt-making in Finland. Through my work, I aim to bring patchwork and quilting into the spotlight in a fresh, modern way, both as an art form and a part of interior design. I also hope to inspire people to recognize the visual potential of repurposed textiles.

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I explore the boundaries between art, craft, and design, creating unique, handmade pieces that are sometimes wall art, sometimes interior textiles, and can sometimes function as both. I want my work to captivate viewers with its details, colors, and forms, revealing something new every time. My design inspiration often comes from the design objects and architecture of past decades.

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All the patchwork in my work is made from repurposed textiles, such as old curtains, tablecloths, and bedsheets. The limited selection of fabrics challenges me to find surprising combinations of patterns and colors that form new, intriguing harmonies. The driving force behind my creative work is the transformation of outdated and abandoned textiles into fresh, captivating, and beautiful new textile surface.

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My works are characterized by fascinating fabric and color combinations, rounded shapes, semi-abstract and imagination-stirring patterns, and an impression of layering.

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Atelier Veini ♥ Upcycling and Sustainability

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Ecological and social sustainability is extremely important to me and is reflected in many aspects of my work. I source my materials for patchwork surfaces from recycling centers and charity shops and purchase other materials from local small businesses whenever possible. All new materials (such as batting, backing and binding fabrics, and threads) are made from natural fibers, and I use organic materials whenever available. I minimize fabric waste during production and design my quilt layouts digitally to avoid unnecessary cutting.

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The world is producing more textiles than ever, even though textile waste is already a significant global issue. Using recycled materials means a great deal to me – not only as a direct act of sustainability in sourcing materials but also as a way to inspire others, both individuals and companies, to embrace upcycled textiles in their own projects.

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Quality and Finishing

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I craft my works with meticulous attention to detail and high quality. Each piece is a unique one-of-a-kind creation. I hand-quilt all my works and always attach the binding by hand – there are no visible machine stitches in my pieces. This ensures an elegant and authentic finish.

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Custom Commissions

 

At Atelier Veini store, you’ll find my existing available pieces, but I’m also happy to create custom pieces tailored to your preferences and needs. At the beginning of the design process, we’ll explore your wishes regarding size, colors, shapes and other details. You’ll be involved throughout the design process, and I’ll only begin crafting the piece after you approve the final design.

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Custom commissions can also incorporate the client’s own fabrics, giving a new life to heirloom textiles that may no longer suit modern tastes. This adds a layer of sentimental value to the work. If you’re interested in discussing a commissioned piece, please submit a quotation request using the form available on the Commissions page or send me a message via contact form!​

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