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
National Patchwork Championship’s – Sandown Catchup
Took the opportunity to wander round the exhibition - see lovely quilts and catch up with lots of our contributors. Gail Lawther had her own exhibition of work on display - what a talented girl she is - and she has designed a new range of patterns - Enchanted Garden - which are now in the shop Nancy of Lina Patchwork was there too - and we picked up a new pattern from her - Daisy Chain tablerunner, which would make a great little summer project.
17 June 2016
New Videos Every Friday Midsummer MadnessWith all the [...]
Stars and Moon
We do love it when a plan comes together - We've heard from one of our members, Beth. She's just completed this quilt for her grandson using Janet Clare's Nocturne fabrics which we had on the site a few months ago. She's called it 'Stars and Moons'. Her grandson is a Man City fan and was really delighted with this and the Blue Moon, unbeknown to her, is their club song.