About Dionne
Dionne paints with stitches to create dynamic, vibrantly coloured textiles. Her needle becomes her pen and thread her ink. The scale, emotion, and energy of her landscapes are inspirational.
Dionne is a graduate of Goldsmith’s College, London University. She has a Masters in Textiles from UCE. And she has been recognised by the industry for her incredible work, e.g. Shortlisted Finalist in the Fine Art Textiles Award at The Festival of Quilts 2020.
Now based between Yorkshire [UK] and Abruzzo [Italy], she exhibits and tutors internationally.
You can watch Dionne demonstrate how to use free motion embroidery to create a range of patterns, textures, tones, and shades in an episode of The Makers Studio series, brought to you by Janome and justhands-on.tv.
Signature Technique
Painting with stitches
Top Tips
- Use a vibrant mix of thread weights, colours, and styles to build up a more dynamic texture.
- A machine with an extra wide throat makes it easier to manipulate your piece.
- Cover your hoop with fabric to give it more grip. You need the fabric to stay drum like as you manoeuvre it.
- Drawing your subject first, with pencil on paper, can help improve your observation and knowledge of your subject – try not to work from a photograph.
- Practice by stitching your signature to get started. Your muscle memory will help you.
- Think of painting with stitches as an orchestra with the sewing machine, threads, fabric, hoop, and you (!) coming together to work as one.
- Don’t be afraid of the machine. After a few hours of speed sewing it becomes second nature.
- Try not to have a set image of the outcome. You are not stitching an exact replica. The result is where you get to. There is no wrong in there. Enjoy the journey.
Videos
Patterns
Posts
Subscriber Giveaway for Sept 2018 – Sewing Machine Cover pattern designed by Mandy Shaw
Sorry, the competition is now closed . The pattern is available through the shop.
An American gets to grip with Hand Patchwork
This certainly ticks all the boxes - recycling something that has been in the family and much loved to create a snuggle quilt; it meant stablizing the fabric first; marking the fabric with sewing lines; cutting accurately with a rotary cutter and then sewing neatly - much concentration needed. The first block of what will be a very unique quilt, and that has some challenges ahead for Steve, our Chief Executive.
Oakshott Open Days – Christmas Wrapped Up
Oakshott Fabrics’ Open Days are not-to-be-missed events, so save the dates for their upcoming ones! Saturday 8th December 10am – 4pm Sunday 9th December 10am – 1pm Whether for Christmas gifts, fabrics to replenish your stash, or ‘because you’re worth it’ treats, their Open Days are a must. For two days only, their warehouse will be transformed into a Pop Up Shop brimming with alluring displays of their signature ‘shot’ cottons.