She has been exploring ways to create new textiles for interior furnishings from the processed harakeke, which she has sourced from the Foxton flax stripper museum.  

Mudford (Tuwharetoa) says she looked at traditional Maori weaving techniques, but decided to break away from that to create some new textiles. "The Foxton museum processes native flax into hanks of coarse fibres. One of my main hurdles was working out what to do with it. It was a material-led project. I mixed the flax fibre with other materials and ended up weaving on a loom.   

"I mixed the fibre with natural materials such as wool and cotton and man-made fibres such as rayon, polyester and wire. I wanted it to look refined and for people not to realise it's flax.  I am interested in creating sustainable textiles."

Mudford has used the textiles for light shades and wall coverings but believes they can be applied to other furnishings. She says that harakeke is very sustainable to grow and very strong. "There is a movement towards having 'green' homes and there are people wanting to revive the flax fibre industry and make it more relevant. I am inspired about the potential of using native flax and being involved in a revival of one of New Zealand's first export industries."