Making of Loyi : From Sketch to Stitch

Every Loyi creation passes through a thoughtful, multi-generational chain of artistry. Here is how your piece comes to life, step by step

The Creative Spark

From my home in Basel, Switzerland, I find endless inspiration in the quiet beauty and clean lines of nature. This global perspective is where every Loyi piece begins. I personally translate these natural elements into modern design concepts, which are then meticulously sketched onto paper by expert illustrators to map out the exact placement of every print and stitch.

Mapping the Design

Once the paper illustration is finalized, it is ready to be transferred onto our fabric. Depending on the complexity of the motif, we choose the traditional path that best honors the artwork:

The Block Carving Method: The sketch is handed over to master carvers who translate it into a custom, hand-carved wooden block.

The Tracing Method: The design is meticulously prepared by hand-piercing tiny pinholes along the illustrated lines, creating a delicate, custom stencil.

The First Impression

Next, our artisans use earth-friendly, organic dyes to bring the outline to the fabric. For the carved blocks, the design is carefully impressed onto the material section by section. For the traced designs, the artisan gently passes the organic dye through the hand-pierced holes, leaving a perfect, delicate outline on the fabric beneath. Because this layout is established completely by human touch, no two pieces are exactly alike.

The Art of the Needle and Hook

Finally, the fabric is given to our internal team of women artisans. Using the hand-impressed lines as their guide, they bring the design into three dimensions using intricate embroidery, delicate crochet, or a beautiful combination of both. Hours of dedicated, careful stitching transform the material into a finished Loyi creation.

Every single Loyi piece is a labor of profound patience, immense skill, and thoughtful care. Because our processes rely entirely on the artistry of the human hand, no two creations are ever identical. When you hold a Loyi piece, you are holding a completely unique work of art—crafted slowly, intentionally, and beautifully just for you