Chris Spencer BA (Hons), LSDC
‘After a career as a Calligrapher and Illuminator textiles stole my heart . I had always enjoyed decorative sewing but it was the need to keep creating whilst my daughter was tiny that led me to a more serious interest in embroidery and other aspects of textile art..
Over the years I achieved City and Guilds, NCFE and ‘A’ level qualifications in Embroidery and Design and then in 2011 I fulfilled my dream and graduated with a BA(Hons) degree in Embroidery from Middlesex University, London, UK . During the degree studies I found a passion to create pieces that would combine both concept and the best of technique thus finding a home in both the worlds of high craft and fine art and hopefully destroy the divide.
In 2001 I formed (and still lead) the exhibiting group Material Girls and in 2008 I founded the Eastern Region Textile Forum – an association of Textile Artists based in the East of England.
I taught both Calligraphy and Textile Art for over 25 years and am a qualified Further and Higher Education Lecturer. I exhibit extensively and have recently was delighted to have been awarded a Licentiateship of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.’
‘Having explored a variety of textile techniques my current practice is to use fibre and hand embroidery to explore the hidden, often overlooked aspects of the natural world- I use the needlefelted fabric I produce as the soil in which to sew the ‘seeds’ of my stitches. ’Website chrissythreads.com
‘After a career as a Calligrapher and Illuminator textiles stole my heart . I had always enjoyed decorative sewing but it was the need to keep creating whilst my daughter was tiny that led me to a more serious interest in embroidery and other aspects of textile art..
Over the years I achieved City and Guilds, NCFE and ‘A’ level qualifications in Embroidery and Design and then in 2011 I fulfilled my dream and graduated with a BA(Hons) degree in Embroidery from Middlesex University, London, UK . During the degree studies I found a passion to create pieces that would combine both concept and the best of technique thus finding a home in both the worlds of high craft and fine art and hopefully destroy the divide.
In 2001 I formed (and still lead) the exhibiting group Material Girls and in 2008 I founded the Eastern Region Textile Forum – an association of Textile Artists based in the East of England.
I taught both Calligraphy and Textile Art for over 25 years and am a qualified Further and Higher Education Lecturer. I exhibit extensively and have recently was delighted to have been awarded a Licentiateship of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.’
‘Having explored a variety of textile techniques my current practice is to use fibre and hand embroidery to explore the hidden, often overlooked aspects of the natural world- I use the needlefelted fabric I produce as the soil in which to sew the ‘seeds’ of my stitches. ’Website chrissythreads.com
Marie Payne
‘I have always loved to hand stitch and began as a self-taught embroiderer, but in due course attended many classes and courses to expand my knowledge and practice. These opened the door into textiles for me and I have become increasingly interested in textiles as an art form.’
‘My favourite sources of inspiration are from the world around me and the wonders that are hiding under the sea. I am familiar with a variety of textile techniques and particularly enjoy the painting,dyeing and manipulation of fabric. In practice I normally let my subject matter dictate which technique will best produce my ideas. But my love of hand stitching is still paramount and appears, even if in a very small way, somewhere in my work’
‘I have always loved to hand stitch and began as a self-taught embroiderer, but in due course attended many classes and courses to expand my knowledge and practice. These opened the door into textiles for me and I have become increasingly interested in textiles as an art form.’
‘My favourite sources of inspiration are from the world around me and the wonders that are hiding under the sea. I am familiar with a variety of textile techniques and particularly enjoy the painting,dyeing and manipulation of fabric. In practice I normally let my subject matter dictate which technique will best produce my ideas. But my love of hand stitching is still paramount and appears, even if in a very small way, somewhere in my work’
Jill Birleson
‘I have always liked making things. As a child my mum taught me to knit, crochet and embroider by hand. When I got older she also taught me to make my own clothes. However it wasn’t until I started reading Needlecraft magazine many years ago that I realised there were other hand techniques out there and was eager to learn more. I joined the local Embroiderers Guild and attended a talk which the teacher ended by saying she was teaching a City and Guilds course on embroidery at a local college. I enrolled straight away and the rest, as they say’ is history!!’ ‘I like to keep experimenting but am particularly fond of print and playing with the computer’
‘I have always liked making things. As a child my mum taught me to knit, crochet and embroider by hand. When I got older she also taught me to make my own clothes. However it wasn’t until I started reading Needlecraft magazine many years ago that I realised there were other hand techniques out there and was eager to learn more. I joined the local Embroiderers Guild and attended a talk which the teacher ended by saying she was teaching a City and Guilds course on embroidery at a local college. I enrolled straight away and the rest, as they say’ is history!!’ ‘I like to keep experimenting but am particularly fond of print and playing with the computer’
Miriam Weaver
‘I have always been creative and enjoyed art at school although not needlework! My mother and grandmother taught me how to knit and crochet when I was very young. On leaving school I went into banking BUT once I had started a family I was fortunate enough to turn my creativity and baking skills into a business and make individually designed celebration and wedding cakes. Whilst teaching cake decoration at Adult education College a student suggested I go to a Patchwork Class with her. Subsequently I became interested in embroidery as well and in 2009 I gained my City and Guilds cert. level 3 in Creative textiles deign and Embroidery.’ ‘My favourite techniques are Art Quilts although I do try to introduce embroidery and mixed media into my work. One thing I always try to do is use my own dyed fabrics whenever possible.’
I am currently on a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Cert. course I'm always interested in furthering my skills.
Website miriamweaver.co.uk
‘I have always been creative and enjoyed art at school although not needlework! My mother and grandmother taught me how to knit and crochet when I was very young. On leaving school I went into banking BUT once I had started a family I was fortunate enough to turn my creativity and baking skills into a business and make individually designed celebration and wedding cakes. Whilst teaching cake decoration at Adult education College a student suggested I go to a Patchwork Class with her. Subsequently I became interested in embroidery as well and in 2009 I gained my City and Guilds cert. level 3 in Creative textiles deign and Embroidery.’ ‘My favourite techniques are Art Quilts although I do try to introduce embroidery and mixed media into my work. One thing I always try to do is use my own dyed fabrics whenever possible.’
I am currently on a City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Cert. course I'm always interested in furthering my skills.
Website miriamweaver.co.uk
Julie Chellingsworth
‘Purely by accident after following a lifelong interest in embroidery I met someone many years earlier who had encouraged me to take a course in creative textiles and now it has become part of my life’
‘I have more interest in machine embroidery these days. I like to use natural fibres mainly and my greatest inspiration comes from colour. I love strong colour’
‘Purely by accident after following a lifelong interest in embroidery I met someone many years earlier who had encouraged me to take a course in creative textiles and now it has become part of my life’
‘I have more interest in machine embroidery these days. I like to use natural fibres mainly and my greatest inspiration comes from colour. I love strong colour’
Margaret Lacy
‘ I have been interested in embroidery and stitching for most of my life. Since retiring from a career as a teacher in Adult education and a National Association of Flower Arranging demonstrator I can now devote more time to developing my textile work. I have passed the City and Guilds Design for Craft – Stitched Textiles part 3 and joined the Embroiderers Guild where I am able to continue my journey discovering and using the many and varied aspects of the textile world.’
‘My work is interpretive and explores traditional and contemporary hand techniques in creative ways. I am experimenting with different materials and threads and working on projects that have a common theme.’
‘ I have been interested in embroidery and stitching for most of my life. Since retiring from a career as a teacher in Adult education and a National Association of Flower Arranging demonstrator I can now devote more time to developing my textile work. I have passed the City and Guilds Design for Craft – Stitched Textiles part 3 and joined the Embroiderers Guild where I am able to continue my journey discovering and using the many and varied aspects of the textile world.’
‘My work is interpretive and explores traditional and contemporary hand techniques in creative ways. I am experimenting with different materials and threads and working on projects that have a common theme.’
Beverley Folkard
‘I’ve been stitching and making all my life. Even as a pre-school child I turned the handle on Gran’s Singer sewing machine, as she made my clothes. I wanted employment connected to sewing but it wasn’t to be. It was redundancy from a ‘proper’ job which spurred my dream, now or never, formal studies by way of City and Guilds Embroidery. This opened up a whole new experience, new ways of thinking about creative stitching and new artistic experiences via meeting other like-minded people, books and magazines. Finally I was on the textile art journey I’d longed for since childhood’
‘ A City and Guilds in Paper art and an NCFE Advanced Certificate in Paper art have inspired me to combine these two passions. I like the combination, contrast and challenges of stitching on paper be that by hand or machine’
Website bevfolkard.co.uk
‘I’ve been stitching and making all my life. Even as a pre-school child I turned the handle on Gran’s Singer sewing machine, as she made my clothes. I wanted employment connected to sewing but it wasn’t to be. It was redundancy from a ‘proper’ job which spurred my dream, now or never, formal studies by way of City and Guilds Embroidery. This opened up a whole new experience, new ways of thinking about creative stitching and new artistic experiences via meeting other like-minded people, books and magazines. Finally I was on the textile art journey I’d longed for since childhood’
‘ A City and Guilds in Paper art and an NCFE Advanced Certificate in Paper art have inspired me to combine these two passions. I like the combination, contrast and challenges of stitching on paper be that by hand or machine’
Website bevfolkard.co.uk
Vivien Mitchell
As a child I loved playing around with leftover fabric and wool from my mothers clothesmaking. I made dolls clothes, soft toys and later crochet and knitted items. Today I only feel fulfilled when I have scissors or a needle and thread in my hands I love the creative process and am a 'jack of all trades' having taught a variety of textile processes in Adult Education for 18 years.At the moment I am into dollmaking, anything vintage and recycling, but then as a Gemini next week it could be something completely different!. The last 3 years has been spent making things for my beautiful twin grand daughters,dolls clothes, quilts, jumpers amd dressing up items but now is the time to be creative and do something for ME. I was delighted to be invited to join The Material Girls and look forward to participating in future exhibitions and being part of such a welcoming and supportive group.
As a child I loved playing around with leftover fabric and wool from my mothers clothesmaking. I made dolls clothes, soft toys and later crochet and knitted items. Today I only feel fulfilled when I have scissors or a needle and thread in my hands I love the creative process and am a 'jack of all trades' having taught a variety of textile processes in Adult Education for 18 years.At the moment I am into dollmaking, anything vintage and recycling, but then as a Gemini next week it could be something completely different!. The last 3 years has been spent making things for my beautiful twin grand daughters,dolls clothes, quilts, jumpers amd dressing up items but now is the time to be creative and do something for ME. I was delighted to be invited to join The Material Girls and look forward to participating in future exhibitions and being part of such a welcoming and supportive group.
Helen Wilson BA
Since attaining a degree in Embroidered Textiles I have made works on paper combining watercolours with stitch. Not moving entirely away from watercolours and stitch my current practice has a mixed media approach combining the textural qualities of printed collograph plates with stitch, fabric and watercolours..
Website helenchinestudio.co.uk
Since attaining a degree in Embroidered Textiles I have made works on paper combining watercolours with stitch. Not moving entirely away from watercolours and stitch my current practice has a mixed media approach combining the textural qualities of printed collograph plates with stitch, fabric and watercolours..
Website helenchinestudio.co.uk
Sally Chinea
Growing up within a rural, farming community, I have made and recycled things for as long as can remember! As a child, I learnt (and equally enjoyed) craft activities with my Mother and construction with my Father. I have since gone on to work in the education environment, teaching children and adults some many of the many skills I have acquired.
Later in life, with family more independent, I went back to university, gaining a 1st class degree in Fine Art. It was here I continued to challenge and subvert activities traditionally associated with women and domesticity and the distinctions between craft and fine Art and I discovered a real love for site specific art.
Within my current artist practice, I still enjoy working with found or discarded objects and materials and continue to manipulate and re-contextualize a wide variety of different processes in my work.
Website sallychinea.com
Growing up within a rural, farming community, I have made and recycled things for as long as can remember! As a child, I learnt (and equally enjoyed) craft activities with my Mother and construction with my Father. I have since gone on to work in the education environment, teaching children and adults some many of the many skills I have acquired.
Later in life, with family more independent, I went back to university, gaining a 1st class degree in Fine Art. It was here I continued to challenge and subvert activities traditionally associated with women and domesticity and the distinctions between craft and fine Art and I discovered a real love for site specific art.
Within my current artist practice, I still enjoy working with found or discarded objects and materials and continue to manipulate and re-contextualize a wide variety of different processes in my work.
Website sallychinea.com
