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
Ipad covers by Lyn
Hi Valerie...attached a couple of pics..I pad & laptop covers...enjoyed making the seminole bags & we enclosed clever plastic coated magnets inside the flap to close...Lyn We are looking into whether or not the magnets will be a problem for Ipads and/or other computerized items - in the meantime perhaps velcro would be safer?!
Quick quilt – perfect for the Hampden Park Alzheimers Appeal
Here are two versions of the ultra quick and easy quilt that I've made for the appeal; both are now finished (quilted, bound and signed) and ready to be sent off. I was surprised by how addictive and pleasing it is to make quilts so quickly! If you want to have a go yourself the how-to will be up on the website on 5th April and the quilts are needed by end of May.
March 2013
This will be a busy month as there are 5 [...]