Wool, Rhythm and Routine: Filming Rug-Maker Rachel Scott in Pimlico
In the second film of my Made in London series, I spent time with artisan rug-maker Rachel Scott, who whose house in Pimlico doubles as her studio, archive, and creative sanctuary. Over the course of five carefully paced days, I filmed Rachel in two-hour sessions. Not out of restriction, but in deference to the rhythm of her process. Rug-making is a slow, deliberate act, and filming it had to respect that same tempo.
A video about London-based artisan Archie Proudfoot.
From RCA Painter to Hand-Weaver
Rachel trained in painting at the Royal College of Art in the early 1960s, but her practice evolved gradually into textiles. In the late 1970s, when her stair carpet wore out, she decided to make her own replacement; building a loom, sourcing undyed British wool, and spinning it by hand. What began as necessity became a life’s work.
Today, she weaves 20–30 rugs a year, using wool from native breeds like Herdwick, Shetland, and Black Welsh. Her work is precise and geometric, always straight lines, never curves, and speaks more to architectural rhythm than decorative pattern.
Filming at the Pace of Craft
Rachel’s process is slow, physical, and quiet with few dramatic moments or bursts of action. But that’s where the beauty lives. I returned daily for short windows, allowing her to work naturally while I captured the evolution of the crafts from raw material to finished piece.
Those five days became a rhythm of their own, a film that grew with the weave itself.
A Living Archive of Useful Art
What struck me during filming was the completeness of Rachel’s practice. Her work isn’t about branding or output. It’s about making something useful, with care and craft, at a pace that resists everything digital life encourages. It’s patient, precise, and entirely hands on.
She once said she didn’t want to think of new things to do every day, only to make what someone else will use. That idea sat with me long after we wrapped.
See More of Rachel’s Work
Visit Rachel’s site to explore her full collection and learn more about her approach: rachelsrugs.com
Interested in Craft-Based Storytelling?
If you're working with makers, designers, or artists and want to capture their process in a way that feels honest and human then get in touch. I specialise in craft-focused filmmaking that lets material, movement, and meaning do the talking.
