STITCHES & STORIES - photos on fabric
‘Stitches and Stories – photos on fabric’ is a collaborative exhibition by Port Lincoln locals Matthew Dodd of Doddlife Photography and Sue Catt of Sue Catt Creative, exploring the transformation of local South Australian landscapes into wearable and functional art. Matthew’s photographs, captured across the Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges, are digitally printed onto fabric and reimagined by Sue as garments and homewares including shirts, dresses, tea towels, and bags. Together, the works blur the line between image and object, art and everyday life.
Grounded in principles of slow fashion and mindful making, the exhibition values quality, longevity, and thoughtful use of materials. Each piece is carefully crafted to honour both the original photograph and the landscape it represents, offering an alternative to fast, disposable design. Through stitching, folding, and wear, the images evolve, becoming part of a lived, tactile relationship with place. At its heart, Stitches and Stories is a celebration of collaboration, sustainability, and local connection. An exhibition of photography and textiles, it invites viewers to engage with South Australian landscapes in a new way—not only to observe them, but to wear them, use them, and carry their stories forward as part of daily life.
One of a Kind Garments
The collection of one-of-a-kind garments forms a central part of the Stitches and Stories exhibition. Featuring 20 selected photographic images printed on fabric, each piece begins with nature-based photographs by Matt. These images are digitally printed (in Melbourne) onto a range of natural fabrics including organic cotton poplin, cotton lawn, and cotton linen, then slowly and thoughtfully made into clothing by Sue.
Each garment is created intuitively and creatively, allowing the image, fabric, and available materials to guide the design. Some pieces showcase the photographic print as a feature fabric, while others evolve through the thoughtful use of remaining printed sections, combined with carefully collected and complementary textiles. This process ensures minimal waste while celebrating individuality, texture, and story.
No two garments are the same, they are not mass-produced (with no repeats) Made by hand, in varied sizes and styles, these comfortable pieces are designed to be worn, lived in, and cherished over time. Rooted in slow fashion principles, the collection values craftsmanship, sustainability, and the beauty of clothing made with intention. Each garment carries its own story of place, process, and care, offering a wearable connection to landscape and creative collaboration.
Click thru to the shop to browse the collection, find details of each garment and purchase if you like. Or pop into the exhibition at Doddlife Photography studio (King St Port Lincoln) during SALT Festival 17-26th April, and see them in real life alongside the framed photographic images that inspired this collaboration.
Teatowels - Limited edition photographic textiles
The limited-edition tea towels feature original photographic images by Matt of Doddlife Photography. Each of the 20 images selected is digitally printed on quality cotton linen fabric meterage, then cut and individually sewn by Sue of Sue Catt Creative, on her trusty nearly 40 year old industrial sewing machine (that she uses daily!)
Designed for everyday use and long-term enjoyment, the cotton linen fabric has a natural texture and durability, making these tea towels as hardworking as they are artful. They bring a sense of place into the home and are perfect for kitchens that value craftsmanship, story, and thoughtful design.
Each photographic image is released as a small limited run of four tea towels. Once these are sold, you are welcome to place a made-to-order purchase until 1st May. After this date, fabric will be reprinted and tea towels sewn to order. This slow, considered approach ensures minimal waste and honours the process behind each piece. Click on images below for teatowel ordering…or explore them all in the shop.
Beautiful as a gift (think ahead for birthdays, xmas etc) or a meaningful addition to your own home, these tea towels are functional artworks, created to be used, loved, and lived with. Both practical and quietly beautiful. **Only available til May 1st.
*Please note : Sue fractured her shoulder whilst in Bali, returning to Port Lincoln 3 weeks before the exhibition unable to work (let alone do other life tasks easily!) She had planned to make a few more garments, cushions and bags…as well as do buttons and buttonholes to finish the shirts. A couple of her amazing sewing students have come to the rescue to complete the shirts - angels!!
Once she is recovered Sue plans to continue working with all the digitally printed fabrics remaining for this exhibition…until the last scraps are utilised! So please pop back regularly to see what has further evolved in this Stitches & Stories journey.
Custom Made Just for You
by Sue Catt Creative using Doddlife Photography images
Found a piece you love but it’s not quite the right size or style? Or perhaps an image has sold out but is still calling your name?
I have availability for a limited number of custom-made garments, created especially for you using Doddy’s photographic prints. Together, we can shape a piece that suits your style, your body, and how you want to wear it—whether that’s a favourite silhouette, a different fabric, or a particular image you’re drawn to.
Each garment is made slowly and thoughtfully, honouring both the original image and the story you bring to it. As I am currently recovering from a shoulder injury, custom orders will be taken in small numbers, with the design and fabric selection process beginning first, followed by making as capacity allows.
This is a gentle, considered process—perfect for those who value something truly personal and worth the wait.
Please fill in details on custom made page here.
Sue x