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
The Great Northern Quilt Show (31st Aug – 2nd Sept 2012 )
Val: Had a really lovely weekend up in Harrogate – such a pretty town – and the weather was kind. Saturday was spent wandering round under my own steam – its been a long time since I was just a visitor to a show; bumped into a lot of friends/contributors to our site such as Sylvia Critcher; Sue at Daisy Chain; Lynette our very own ‘Stitch Witch’ ; Hilary from The Silk Route to name but three and Jennie was busy there too - teaching; – and of course like all visitors I ended up spending money!
Quilts in the Cae Hir Gardens
Karen from Karens Quilts and Finish My Quilt says it was a wonderful weekend despite the heavy rain Saturday morning. below are photographs for the three winning quilts. 1st. 'A Cactus Wreath' by Gerda Bryant. 2nd. 'Bee Happy' by the Twine and W(h)ine Group 3rd. 'Spring Summer Autumn Winter' by Gillian Trickey We had so many requests to make this an annual event that, so next year the dates will be 2nd, 3rd and 4th August.
Owls on the move
Moving from Surrey to Peterborough these lovely owls don't look any worse for wear and we wish them well in their new home: (thanks to Sarah for sharing Twit Wit and Woo) - click here for the pattern by Gail Penberthy available through Daisy Chain Designs.