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
Update 24th January 2014
Well here we are on the third Friday in January [...]
A few more testimonials
I look forward to Fridays and seeing what is new! from Anna
Jan 2014 Hi – I found all the videos of the Sampler series. Thanks
You have a wonderful site.
Nancy (Jan 2014) I am so glad I have joined you. Excellent web site packed with even more than I expected ie mixed media and such. I had not used PayPal for at least a year and hadn't the passwords but that wasn't a problem-easily sorted and instant access to you guys.
Is there a Heat Resistant wadding?
Is there a wadding suitable to make oven gloves? Answer: There is a thermo wadding that is sold by Creative Quilting that would be perfect; its called Insulbrite and here is their direct website link:
www.creativequilting.co.uk