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
Crazy Patch and Embroidery Weekend in Surrey, 20 and 21 September 2025
Date: 20 - 21 September 2025
Location: DeVere Horsley Estate, East Horsley, Surrey
Price: £440 Early Bird Special before 20 March 2025 / £470 after this
Embellish and Decorate Your Work with Karen Crookes.
A Quilt Show Holiday in the Netherlands: De Broodfabriek’s Patchwork & Quiltdagen 2025 at The Hague
A marvellous, multifaceted Dutch Quilting holiday packed with treats to stimulate your creativity. Based in the vibrant city of The Hague, this uplifting tour combines a day at the inspirational Patchwork and Quilt Days show with hands-on workshops and visits to the charming medieval city of Amersfoort and the world famous Mauritshuis Museum.
Sewing Me time Weekend in Surrey, 8 and 9 November 2025
Date: 8 - 9 November 2025
Location: DeVere Horsley Estates, East Horsley, Surrey
Price: £440
Join us for a very special Sewing Me Time weekend. Hang out, get your projects finished, enjoy pampering time at a stunning countryside hotel.