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Designed specifically for a psychiatric rehabilitation center, our creative method seamlessly integrates design, play, and handicraft to support cognitive skill training and recovery. The process involves designing and embroidering patterns while fostering social interaction within a supportive community. We focus on training dialogue, reflection, concentration, decision-making, and resilience.
Our Philosophy
We believe that playfulness and creativity are powerful tools for training and regaining cognitive skills. Our approach enables participants to learn embroidery independently, without relying on detailed technical instructions, allowing them to develop their own personal style. We are dedicated to fostering the highest possible level of autonomy in their creative journey.
In close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of specialists, we have developed a creative method featuring a specialized workflow that helps users of psychiatric rehabilitation centers regain their ability to connect through social participation and creative expression. The process is straightforward and thoughtfully organized into a few simple, easy-to-follow steps. The central theme of all activities is the creation of patterns, whether on paper or fabric. All designs are based on the combination of basic geometric shapes, the use of color, and an experimental research approach. Inspiration from contemporary art, combined with accessible artisanal techniques, fuels creative expression.
One of the most important features of the patternhouse workflow is the guarantee of success.
The workflow can be adapted to meet the individual needs of each patient regardless of the current state of their mental health, existing skills, or prior knowledge.
How it all started
In 2017, I began developing the Patternhouse method following an assignment at Casa Basaglia, a psychiatric rehabilitation centre run by the South Tyrol Health Service. I was given a seemingly simple task: to design new products to be manufactured in their workshops for social shops. That assignment proved to be a valuable opportunity to explore the intersection between design and mental health, a field I consider to be largely neglected but critically important. As a designer and artist, I quickly realized how much innovation is needed in this area and the potential opportunities it presents. My goal from the very beginning was to develop a new, detailed workflow that would effectively integrate the diverse needs of the participants, creative manual techniques, and therapeutic aspects. The main challenge was complex: the Casa Basaglia workshops involve both residents within the institution and external users, with varying lengths of stay—from a few days to several month or even a year. The range of manual skills among participants is equally broad.
Furthermore, the challenge was not only to develop new products through innovative creative and therapeutic processes but also to significantly reduce the workload of employees. It took almost a year to identify, thoroughly investigate and develop concrete solutions for all these different aspects. The result of this work is the Patternhouse method. None of this work would have been possible without the support and cooperation of so many people. I was particularly fortunate to find like-minded people who were highly committed to overcoming the challenges and successfully establishing Patternhouse.org. My special thanks go to Verena Perwanger, head of the psychiatry department at Merano Hospital, as well as to the excellent laboratory team, in particular Evi Pittscheider, Susanna Paoletti, Annalisa delle Foglie, Catiuscia di Falco, Chiara Cortellini, Andrea Laudando, Jessica Berton and Martina Veit. In addition, my thanks go to Magdalena Lageder, Carolin Kieswetter and Jessica Trentin, whose professional and exceptionally collaborative work as laboratory psychologists was of great importance.
Our Methodology
We have developed three interconnected workflows that build upon each other: For individuals with significant cognitive impairments the work is structured to be stress-free and without fear of failure, making participation accessible and comfortable. For those with intact cognitive understanding, the activities are engaging and intellectually stimulating, providing a meaningful and challenging experience.
Basic
With our exercise sheets, the Pattern Papers, everyone can start “designing” patterns from scratch, simply by copying and colouring. By copying patients learn how pattern design works. Colouring relaxes and promotes concentration in the moment. The Pattern Papers are extremely easy to use, allowing for highly personalized and unique results.
The Basic Workflow consists of four simple steps which enable everyone to independently design their own pattern quickly and effortlessly.
Advanced
Designing patterns is a game with endless possibilities to combine shapes and colours. We encourage patients to develop their own interpretation and expression of form.
Our Advanced Workflow resembles a designer’s creative process, incorporating an inspiration source. First, the participant selects the basic shape they wish to work with. Next, they browse an art book for images featuring that shape. They then study and copy parts of those images to learn from them. Finally, they modify and deconstruct the elements until they create something new and original. Each user also maintains a personal album—a special folder where they collect all their exercises and research. Over time, this space naturally evolves into a true source of inspiration as well.
Playful
By creating this playful method, we help patients reconnect with their sense of fun, joy, and imagination. To begin, they randomly select colors and the number of threads by rolling a dice. Then, questions and color cards help them personalize the selection. After choosing the appropriate fabric together, the embroidery pattern is “fished” out of a small bowl using a magnetic straw. Our six little paper fish are decorated with simple patterns. Usually, only one fish is drawn, but sometimes two or three are drawn at the same time. Then, the participants begin improvising their embroidery, without a predefined plan. The guideline is to do your best with whatever you have at hand.
We created a 30-question questionnaire for patients who have been with us for a while. The questions ask about the things they love, such as their favorite sky, flower, or animal. One or more responses are randomly selected and sketched in pencil to serve as the template for the embroidery. This process creates very unique and personal works.
Each cushion is one of a kind and is made of high quality materials.
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“Working with my hands helped me relax. And I enjoy embroidering without stressing about being perfect. Being part of this creative community has made all the difference.”
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Usually, as a plumber, I focus on technical issues, but here I discovered my creative side. I am really proud of the cushion I embroidered with my favorite animal.“
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“I’ve come to understand that there is beauty in imperfection. I never imagined I could embroider the Milky Way!”
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"I’ve found a way to calm my mind and discover moments of peace in the midst of chaos and I’m truly proud of what I’ve created.”
We’re open for collaboration.
MUSEION
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Bolzano Bozen
The project “Joining Patterns / Stitch and Leave a Mark” was a collaboration with Museion, taking place within the context of the exhibition “Among the Invisible Joins”. The aim was to raise awareness about the deep connection between solidarity, community, and mental health. The project included 30 embroidery workshops at Museion and throughout our region, engaging people from diverse backgrounds. During three-hour sessions, the participants embroidered one half of a cushion using our method. The other half was crafted by participants from the psychiatric rehabilitation center Casa Basaglia in Sinigo. The result was 120 cushions, each a collaboration between two people—one from the rehab center and one from the outside community.
Our embroidery courses were open to beginners and skilled embroiderers. They were adressed to individuals interested in the craft itself, as well as those curious about how crafting can promote relaxation, concentration, and overall well-being. The project also included lectures and concluded with a sales exhibition. My talk with neuroscientist Saskia Rusche about creativity and brain plasticity was published in the Museion Bulletin.
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Photo: Lucia Rose Buffa -
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COURT PRISON
Bolzano
Over two months, we ran an embroidery workshop with 10 participants at the Bolzano men’s prison. We held 11 three-hour sessions. This valuable opportunity allowed us to evaluate whether our method fosters focus and relaxation in this setting. We were very pleased with the results; almost every participant completed their cushion, some for personal use, others as gifts. We were also interested in observing how their cultural backgrounds were reflected in their work.
