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
Stressbuster video
This has been up on Youtube for a while but we thought we would add it onto the site on Christmas Day for you all to enjoy; here is one comment from someone who has already seen (and enjoyed) it: Thanks to everyone for showing us the delightful film. I think that was one of the nicest trips you made.
3D Tumbling blocks quilt
This traditional quilt made by one of my students with modern fabrics inspired me to share a handpiecing technique with you - all filmed and coming in the near future: More pics in the Show & Tell page.
Traditional Tumbling Blocks
This lovely quilt was made by hand (but not with papers) by Jo Willows and she used lots of fabrics that had a real meaning to her and the famiy - so a great heirloom memory quilt as well. Hand sewing is very portable and very sociable and Jo finds that this fits her lifstyle alongside her machinework. If you are inspired we will be sharing the 'how to' with you shortly!