Quilt artist and soft sculptor Phong Chi Lai brings a fashion background, a deep respect for upcycled textiles, and a maker’s intuition to his vibrant, tactile world of improv patchwork. From childhood days in a clothing factory to natural dyeing in Tasmania, Phong’s journey is stitched with care, curiosity, and conviction.
You might think there was confidence, but I'm pretty sure during every doll that I make, I'm actually very hesitant to start… I'm always scared that there's a chance it will turn out ugly – and I will have spent weeks and weeks on it.
– Phong Chi Lai
Takeaways from this episode
- A quilt doesn't have to stay flat.
Phong’s soft sculptures and patchwork chairs playfully stretch the boundaries of quilting, exploring what happens when comfort, memory and form meet in three dimensions. What other shapes might your materials want to take?
- Intuition and planning go hand in hand.
While his patchwork process is spontaneous, Phong’s work is grounded in years of design thinking, handcraft, and technical understanding. The result? Pieces that feel whimsical – but are deeply considered.
- Old textiles carry silent stories.
Phong finds richness in stains, loose threads and worn hems. Whether sourced from op shops or personal history, these materials are more than just sustainable – they’re soulful.
- Being a maker is about doing the work, not just dreaming it.
Phong calls himself a maker rather than an artist or designer, valuing the act of bringing ideas to life with his hands. What could shift if you focused more on the making and less on the label?
- There’s power in restraint and resourcefulness.
From crumb quilting with thread-ends to reworking placemats into quilts, Phong embraces creative limitations. “Resourcefulness,” he says, “is a very, very strong creative driver.”
Explore the artwork from this episode below
During the live interview, we shared some images of Phong’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below.
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