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
Pleating Tulle with Benjamin Shine
British artist Benjamin Shine takes that tulle and proceeds to pleat, iron, and manipulate it into hauntingly realistic portraits that looks like photographs. For more pics and info go to: https://www.benjaminshine.com/
More Turning 20 Again
Just a quick follow-up to the wonderful weekend at Dunford House.
I had my finished quilt top long arm quilted and then I did the binding myself. I have given it to my son and daughter-in-law who are delighted with it and have attached a photo of the finished quilt for you.
I never thought I would have got as far as I did over one weekend and have to say I was so pleased with the result
Many thanks for all you help and advice especially with rotary cutting that I am now confidently using more and more(this is going to drive my husband mad).
Some comments on the Water Water Exhibition videos
We often cycle along the Thames to Henley..shame I missed it!
But thinking on,it wouldn't have been the same without Kate's input,very interesting..can't wait for part 2!
And yes I remember The Oneidin Line too!!!!!!!
Lyn Thank you for this. I enjoyed seeing my quilt on the film – and thought you did a brilliant job of talking through all the quilts
Best wishes Rachel
Thank you so much for arranging for us to see the film of the exhibition. It was a lovely reminder of a very special and successful occasion. And you were a brilliant presenter; you knew each piece so well..... Gill
Hi Kate
Thanks so much for this ........