About Susan
Susan has been teaching embroidery for many years and loves to share her enthusiasm for a wide range of techniques.
She completed her City and Guilds Part II in Embroidery with the inspirational Anthea Godfrey at the London College of Fashion (as it then was). Over the past twenty years, she has taught a wide range of classes including City and Guilds and leisure classes, with the WI, and most recently independently in the Wivenhoe and the Colchester area of Essex.
Susan took early retirement in 2013, giving her more time for embroidery and textile related activities. She enjoys being an active participant in the local branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, visiting more exhibitions, attending workshops and reading more about her favourite textile art topics both in print and on-line.
She has also become a student again, signing up for the City and Guilds in Patchwork and Quilting with Creative Stitch Suffolk. According to Susan, “It’s been great to take on new challenges and learn new skills.”
Susan blogs regularly on her website, Threadlines, where she gathers together various elements of her long-standing fascination with embroidery and textile arts more generally. Her hope is that Threadlines will widen her circle of embroidery and textile art friends, and encourage non-embroiderers to try it – just once (that’s all it takes!
Signature Technique
Embroidery
Susan’s Top Tips
- The simpler the stitch, often, the more you can do with it.
- One of the (many) aspects of textiles that I love is that you don’t need to be doing just one project. Try new things…several at a time!
- Doing something completely new with a group of friends makes it extra special.
- If you want to know the ‘right’ way to embroider then turn to a technique manual.
Books and Patterns
Posts
Momentum charity quilt day
A bunch of generous ladies joined Valerie to make quilts for this very worthwhile (local) charity that supports children with life threatening illnesses and their families. We were also joined by Fabian (who is currently undergoing treatment) and his mum and sister and here is Fabian snuggling under the quilt that he made. To learn more about Momentum click here and Momentum was awarded with the Kingston Business Excellence Award for 'Commitment to the Community'.
Water Water Exhibition in Henley
An exhibition of work by girls from the Contemporary Quilt group which is running until 5pm tomorrow (Tues 19th). Organised by Kate Findlay it is well worth a visit if you are in the neighbourhood but if not don't worry as Valerie and the cameras will be there tomorrow so you will be able to enjoy it from the comfort of your home early in 2014.
Newsletters
Today was the day we sent out the second of our newsletters for November – did you get yours? If not please let us know. We were recently forced to change our email provider and we have discovered that certain email addresses are a little more difficult to send through to – these may include those at blueyonder; tiscali; talk talk and aol (and that includes Jennie and Valerie so we aren’t singling anyone out!!!) Our Tech team are trying to get to the bottom of the problem or indeed find a work-around, so please bear with us. You can read the current missive by clicking here: Don’t forget that you can watch on your iPad (but you might need a little help from Puffin!).