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
Inspired by Justhands-on.tv
I thought you might like to see the Scottie Dog Handbag I made for my niece using the pattern from Mandy Shaw. I also used the very small Scottie dog to decorate a head band. The final set of photos are of the Christmas banner I made after being inspired by Mandy Shaw's Christmas decorations. Regards Sandra Parker
March 2011
Jennie and I had a really lovely time at the [...]
A quilted Chuppa by Mae Bishop:
Last Christmas I was asked if I would like to make a chuppa for the wedding of my nephew to his Jewish Rabbi bride. Being Christian I had no idea what a chuppa was let alone know where to start. Some research was obviously needed so onto the internet for some ideas. The bride wanted a religious theme and chose the seven fruits (or species) of Israel which are wheat, barley, olives, dates, pomegranates, figs,and grapes The picture taken on the floor shows six of the theme blocks.