Sewing and creating have been part of my everyday life from a very early age, and I am now lucky enough to be able to follow my passion to create using fabric and stitch.

Today my work encompasses a range of techniques and materials and my main inspirations are the colours and textures that I see around me everyday.

Using recycled and reclaimed materials in my work I will layer, print, manipulate and piece fabrics, which are then embellished with free motion embroidery. But that is not to say that I don’t get tempted by the vast array of new fabrics which are available.

In recent years the focus of my work has altered. From primarily using the embroidered textiles to make handbags and home accessories, I am now developing a collection of art work combining textiles, paper, stitch and paint.

I also make simple patchwork quilts, which either stay as quilts, or have further embellishment and stitch to make them into unique wallhangings.

Through my workshops and at events I am able to share these techniques and hopefully inspire others to create using fabric and stitch. I teach a range of creative textile workshops and also run social sewing days – Coffee and Cloth – in Tiverton, South Brent and Colliton Barton. I also travel to groups and guilds in the south west and beyond.

Spring Days

With lighter evenings and sunshine (sometimes!) I am enjoying being able to walk along slightly less muddy lanes and to see the new growth in the garden and the hedgerows.

I have been revisiting some textile techniques which I haven’t used for many years - painted Bondaweb with layered fabrics and heat transfer foils. It is good to get some time to experiment with these processes and already a few ideas are brewing for a series of new work which will incorporated fabric, printed papers, paint and stitch.

The Tiverton and South Brent Coffee and Cloth groups continue as social sewing groups with occasional tutorials. The dates are on the workshop page, but they are usually fully booked well in advance.

There has been much enthusiasm from the participants of my workshops at Jam on Top Textiles. It has been wonderful to introduce them to free motion stitching and they have all taken to the techniques so well.

Coming up soon - Craft4Crafters at Westpoint, Exeter 27th - 29th March and Tiverton Art Society Spring Exhibition at Ashley Court, Tiverton 9th - 13th April.

Keep sewing and creating.

Jan x

March 2025