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Hello!
My name is Ashley Del Valle.
My doctoral research focused on computational tools for Handmade Textile Crafts. I developed systems in which digital and manual methods operate together (1) to produce new forms of artifacts and computational tools for handmade textile crafts, (2) to preserve and extend the expressive, functional, and social qualities of handwork, and (3) to create more accessible and personally meaningful entry points into computational making for crafters, youth, and creative learners.
Published research
texTile: Making and Re-making Crochet Granny Square Garments Through Computational Design and 3D-Printed Connectors
Emilie Yu, Prof. Jennifer Jacobs
DIS'25 Madeira Portugal | July 5-9th 2025
DIS'25 Madeira Portugal | July 5-9th 2025
Engaging Young People in the Expressive Opportunities of Digital
Fabrication Through Craft Oriented CAM-Based Design
Ashley Del Valle, Mert Toka, and Jennifer Jacobs. 2024. Engaging Young People in the Expressive Opportunities of Digital Fabrication Through Craft-Oriented CAM-Based Design. In Proceedings of the 2024 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS '24). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 1162–1176. https://doi.org/10.1145/3643834.3660693
PunchPrint: Creating Composite Fiber-Filament Craft Artifacts by Integrating Punch Needle Embroidery and 3D Printing
Ashley Del Valle, Mert Toka, Alejandro Aponte, Jennifer Jacobs. 2023. Punch- Print: Creating Composite Fiber-Filament Craft Artifacts by Integrating Punch Needle Embroidery and 3D Printing. In Hamburg ’23: ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, April 23–28, 2023, Ham- burg, Germany. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 15 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/ 3544548.3581298
Art Installations
Fabric Peacing: Threads of Memory, Light, and Hope
Fabric Peacing is a multimedia quilt installation that combines traditional textile craft with animated projection to reflect on memory, loss, and the urgent need for peace. The quilt, designed by Dana Jones, features six paper cranes inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who developed leukemia after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Following a Japanese legend, Sadako folded paper cranes in hopes of healing—believing that folding 1,000 could grant a wish. Her story, shared in Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, has become a lasting symbol of peace and resilience.
Over the quilt, projections trace the cranes’ outlines in motion—suggesting energy, flight, and transformation. These fleeting lights bring the stillness of the fabric to life, echoing the artist’s own longing to create peace for herself and others. This work invites viewers to consider what peace means, who gets to experience it, and how we can protect it for all.
Over the quilt, projections trace the cranes’ outlines in motion—suggesting energy, flight, and transformation. These fleeting lights bring the stillness of the fabric to life, echoing the artist’s own longing to create peace for herself and others. This work invites viewers to consider what peace means, who gets to experience it, and how we can protect it for all.
Projects
Harmonizing Crochet and 3D-Printing
In order to produce 3D printed earrings, this project uses a parametric design system in Rhino and Grasshopper. I was able to swiftly iterate on designs to make them appropriate for both 3D printing and crochet.
3D-Printed Lace Motifs
In this project, I design delicate 3D printable patterns inspired by tatting. I used Rhino and Grasshopper to generate parametrically lace-like designs or extract a pattern from a lace image.
Soft Conductive Crochet Piano
I crochet a series of piano keys using conductive thread and different types of yarn. Each key was connected to a Makey Makey to create an interactive soft Crochet Piano.
Teaching
Summer Institute in Mathematics and Science (SIMS)
Designed and led a research activity introducing incoming undergraduates to opportunities in computational and CAM-based design.
Craft, Computer, Hands & Robots
Design and evaluated a curriculum to engage high school students with digital fabrication through a craft-based approach.
Exploring Computational Design
Designed and programmed spirograph inspired art in p5.js with elementary student.
Learning to Code Through Art
Design and plotted spirograph inspired art with middle school students.
Exploring Conductive Materials
Created simple circuits using conductive dough with students from elementary to high school in Puerto Rico.
Sewing Soft-Circuits
Created soft-circuits using the Lilypad elements with undergraduate students in Puerto Rico.
WondeRUM
Designed and set-up an interactive exhibition sharing with the public ways to learn about the sensors and technologies used.
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