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
Mini Mosaics – can you buy the grid separately?
I just thought I would let you know that Paula now has this in packets to sell at £5 plus p&p and is on our site in the shop now: Mini Mosaics Grid Pack
the grid is for 1" giving ½” finished and 1 ½” giving 1" finished If you are interested in seeing the video on Mini Mosaics with Paula Doyle click here
Marking designs onto a dark fabric.
Do you have a favoured method of transferring quilting patterns? I have a dark sashing and I am finding it difficult to transfer on to it. Answer: Yes dark colours are always a challenge; I do mention some options in the video Quilting Your Quilt
https://www.justhands-on.tv/videos/workshops/article-1086/quilting-your-sampler-quilt-with-valerie-nesbitt
and it depends a little on how complex the pattern is; if its a real stencil pattern then I would use Quilt-and-Tear but if its a simple pattern try the Hera marker (or scoring with the back of your scissors)
Artist Creates Beautiful Portraits Using Tulle Fabrics
There are some talented people around - just take a look at what he creates with fabric and an iron: https://www.123inspiration.com/artist-creates-beautiful-portraits-using-tulle-fabrics/