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
Festival of Quilts 2013
As usual this was a fantastic event and most of our contributors were there; Jennie was busy with her own stand and Val was helping out on the Creative Quilting stand. It didn’t leave much time for wandering around to either see the quilts OR get new product but Val wasn’t to be outdone on her shopping and you need to keep an eye on the ‘shop’ for the new bits; in brief here are the highlights: Jennie has a new DVD out –Texture in Sudoku Mary Gamester has a new book – Transfer Painting Hilary Beattie has a new book – Make it Personal Janet Clare has a new book – A Field Guide – available through the shop Jane Rollason has a new book – Fun, Fast & Furious – quick & easy applique panels New patterns from Daisy Chain include: Just Peachy by Lee Brown New patterns from The Stitch Witch include new Dog House needlebox and a new hanging system for your small projects.
Downton Abbey fabric from Makower
Well for once Twitter has come up trumps; just learnt about new range from Makower Andover Fabrics is delighted to announce that the first exclusive collection of licensed fabrics for Downton Abbey ® will be available to you this September. Playing on the strength of the upstairs women of Downton, this exciting premiere collection will be THE WOMEN’S COLLECTION, featuring designs chosen in collaboration with the award-winning Downton Abbey production team.
You need to defluff your machine regularly!
Superior Threads in America have a Dr of Threadology - Dr.Bob; if you go to their website https://www.superiorthreads.com it is full of wonderful information and here is a true and salutory story from their June 2013 newsletter: Lint is defined as an accumulation of fluffy fibers. We have lint in clothes dryers, clothing, and unfortunately, our sewing machines.