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the patternhouse method

We showcase the skills and talents of people living with mental health issues.

Designed specifically for a psychiatric rehabilitation center, our innovative program seamlessly blends design, play, and embroidery to support cognitive skill training and recovery. The process involves creating and embroidering patterns while fostering social interaction within a supportive community. We focus on training dialogue, reflection, concentration, decision-making, and resilience.

About us

We believe that playfulness and creativity are powerful tools for training and regaining cognitive skills. With our method, we enable participants to engage in embroidery not as perfectionists, but as explorers. In collaboration with psychiatrists, we have developed a special workflow that allows participants in psychiatric rehabilitation centers to rebuild and recover their skills through social engagement 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, paired 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

The Patternhouse Method emerged from a 2017 commission by Casa Basaglia, a psychiatric rehabilitation center in South Tyrol, Italy. Initially tasked with designing products for their social shop, I discovered a fascinating intersection between design and psychiatry. This unique perspective led me, after a period of research, to develop, in collaboration with psychiatrists, a creative and therapeutic process combining design and handicraft while fostering social connections.

The creative workshop at Casa Basaglia involves both internal and external patients, the duration of their stay varies greatly; some participants attend the workshop for only a week, while others remain for several months or even several years. Manual skills among participants sometimes differs extremely.

low skill level high

My aim was to create a creative workflow accessible to everyone, regardless of technical skills, prior knowledge, or mental health issues. Crucially, the process needed to be adaptable to individual patient needs and daily rehabilitation schedules. Minimizing workload for workshop assistants was also essential. Together with the Casa Basaglia team, I identified and addressed these needs, ultimately developing the Patternhouse Method. I am very happy that patients and staff at Casa Basaglia were willing to embraced this approach and have successfully implemented it.

Our Method

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 better 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, and the results are extremely individual.

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 is similar to a designer’s creative process, incorporating an inspiration source. First, the participant chooses the basic shape they want to work with. Then, they look in an art book for images that include that shape. Next, they 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 patient maintains a personal scrapbook—a dedicated folder to collect all their exercises and research. This serves as a source of inspiration and a tangible boost to self-confidence.

Playful

By creating this playful method, we support patients to reconnect with their sense of fun, joy and imagination. First, patients determine colors and the amount of different threads randomly by rolling a dice. Then, questions and color cards help them reflect on their choices. Next, they select their pattern using a small magnetic fishing rod. All our “pattern fishes” are handmade and intentionally imperfect, which helps to reduce the fear of making mistakes. After choosing the most suitable fabric, the work begins. Everything is chosen by chance, and participants do their best with what is available to them. Hence there is plenty of room for endless creativity.

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. Five responses are randomly selected and sketched in pencil, serving as the template for the embroidery. This process ensures that each piece is unique and personal.

Each cushion is one of a kind and is made of high quality materials. The sales revenue sustains the initiative, enabling it to expand and evolve.

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” from the Enea Righi Collection. The concept celebrated the unique creativity of individuals and how they can come together as one, building community while respecting each person’s individuality. We hosted a series of embroidery workshops at Museion and across our region, engaging people from diverse backgrounds. Participants embroidered during 3-hour sessions using our method, creating one half of a cushion. The other half was crafted by participants from the psychiatric rehabilitation center Casa Basaglia in Sinigo. The result was 120 cushions, each made by two people—one from the rehab center and one from outside.

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. A total of 120 cushions were created and sold. My talk with neuroscientist Saskia Rusche about creativity and brain plasticity was published in the Museion Bulletin. Please click here to read it.

Court Prison

Bolzano

Over two months, we ran an embroidery workshop with 10 participants at the Bolzano men’s prison. We held 11 sessions, each lasting 3 hours. It was a valuable opportunity to see if our method works in this setting and whether it helps people focus, relax, and feel calmer. Everyone finished their cushion—some made it for themselves or as a gift. We were particularly interested in how their cultural backgrounds were reflected in their work.

All our cushions are one of a kind.

the patternhouse method

We showcase the skills
and talents of people living
with mental health issues.

Contact

Martina Drechsel / Founder and Creative Director
gro.e1749951488suohn1749951488retta1749951488p@oll1749951488eh1749951488
+39 333 240 8314

Stockist

The Monocle Shop
Via Dante 26
39100 Merano, South Tyrol, Italy

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Gl Strandvej 13
3050 Humlebæk, Denmark
www.louisiana.dk

Kunst Meranoarte
Laubengasse 163
Meran, South Tyrol, Italy
www.kunstmeranoarte.org