We had another fantastic Auld Friends session with Lil Brookes, exploring something very special to our hometown – the Paisley pattern.
Lil took us right back to where it all began, explaining that the famous design actually originated in India and Persia, where it was known as a “buta” or teardrop-shaped motif and often seen on beautifully woven shawls. These luxurious shawls made their way to Europe and became hugely popular – and that’s where Paisley stepped in, with local weavers recreating the designs and putting our town on the map across the world.
To bring this history to life, Lil shared a stunning Saree, showing the intricate detail and craftsmanship. It was amazing to see how similar the stitching and patterns were to the work once created here in Paisley by local weaving communities.
Of course, we couldn’t resist a bit of fun – and we’ve got a brilliant photo of our own Debs proudly wearing the Saree! 😊
We finished the session on a calm and creative note with a mindfulness activity, colouring Paisley pattern designs. It was a lovely way to relax, chat and reflect together.
💜 A big thank you to Lil for such an engaging and inspiring session – connecting our local heritage with stories from around the world.
