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
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.
Textiles in Focus 2011
This event is being held 25/26/27 February at Cottenham Village College. It includes 3 days of workshops, there will be a lecture by Dawn Thorn - Transparency and Dimension - and the two exhibition halls will be showcasing the textile art of 'The O2 Textile Group' and 'Fibrefusion'. There will also be traders and demonstrators. This event has now been running for 10 years and this year Jennie and I will be there so pop along and say hello; Tickets available only on the door; there is free parking and access for the disabled. www.textilesinfocus.com and this year's chosen charity is the Alzheimer's Research Trust.
Wearable patchwork
Thought you might like to see my waistcoat which I have made using your books – it’s my first one and it took me ages to get going on it but when I actually started I really enjoyed it – I have made a few blunders but have learnt a lot and know what not to do next time!!! Hope you are well and I’m looking forward to your new book coming out.