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
Quilting weekend – Dunford House 6-8th July 2012
Fun was had by all at our Dunford House quilt retreat weekend; the house was full and there was lots of laughter as well as sewing. Jennie as usual had us in stitches with her travel stories as well as getting down to her red swimsuit complete with embellishments and the pub quiz was won by the "Thanglers". The Dunford house staff did us proud - they looked after us superbly and the food was excellent - local produce well presented - and many of the bedrooms have undergone a upgrade and facelift with beautiful new soft furnishings.
Rice murals in the fields of Japan
Rice fields take on a whole new meaning when you see them like this: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/5965421/Paddy-art-farmers-create-colourful-rice-murals-in-Japan.html
Fun day at Creative Quilting
Dave and Matt joined me at Creative Quilting so that we could share this shop with you later in the year: here Dave finds his namesake! (the detail is from one of the Don't Look Now range of patterns that are sold at Creative Quilting) and Isa and I share a moment amongst the fabrics and I show you my finished scrap quilt (made in just 40 minutes and I'll show you how in August!)