Stitchery Stories

Latest Episodes:

Fran Brammer: Inspired By Beautiful Yorkshire Landscapes Nov 08, 2017

Show notes

Fran Brammer: Inspired By Beautiful Yorkshire Landscapes SS016

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Fran Brammer Shares Her Life In Fabric & Thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about her creative journey and her desire to combine her love of hill walking, landscapes, costume and art.

Susan chats with Fran about:

Being inspired by the Yorkshire landscapes that she enjoys hiking through
Her new adventure with garments, text, and landscape - exploring common elements
The excitement of 'Feed Dogs'
Finding & generating textures
The creative arguments she has with her textile artwork
Weathering her work to provide another layer of unpredictability
Depth of colour in landscapes provided by contrasting and unusual colours
The story of the art, the wind, and the rosebush...
Being proactive in developing opportunities in her textile art practice
Establishing her 'Stitchiness' Facebook Group

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Fran's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/franbrammer

Visit: https://sites.google.com/site/franbrammer/

Blog: http://franbramm.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/frantextiles

Email: franbramm@gmail.com

Viking Loom embroidery supplies shop: http://www.vikingloom.co.uk/

And I thought I would share with you how beautiful the Yorkshire landscape is - of course I am biased since I am Yorkshire gal! But I know we have listeners across the globe so I hope you enjoy the landscape too.

Yorkshire Wolds: http://www.visithullandeastyorkshire.com/yorkshire-wolds/

North Yorkshire Moors http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/

Yorkshire Dales: http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/

Julia Triston: Celebrating Marks & Memories In Old Clothing & Cloth Nov 01, 2017

Show notes

Julia Triston: Textile Artist Celebrating Marks & Memories In Old Clothing & Cloth SS015

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Julia Triston shares her life in fabric and thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about her enduring fascination with fashion and clothing, and the stories and memories from them that inspire her textile art.

Susan chats with Julia about:

Fashion, garment construction, deconstruction and upcycling
Inspired by Japanese fashion designers, Gaudi, and the peeling paintwork on Frida Kahlo's house
The importance of continual growth, learning and self- reflection
The simplicity and rhythm of running stitch
Theraputic machine embroidery and drawing with the needle
Memories in cloth - using upcycled and secondhand garments, uniforms, jeans, underwear
The wear and tear and marks from previous uses and owners of fabric
Her hour on the 4th plinth of Trafalgar Square
Knicker Bunting and Bra-ra Dresses...
Selfcare, headspace, and making the most of those "10 minutes" in a busy life
Enjoying membership and stimulation of the Textile Study Group

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of artist's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/juliatriston

Visit : http://www.juliatriston.com

Email : textilearts@juliatriston.com

Twitter: : https://twitter.com/juliatriston

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JuliaTristonTextiles/

Textile Study Group: https://textilestudygroup.co.uk

STITCHBUSINESS: http://www.stitchbusiness.com/site/

Anne Kelly: Textile Art From Re-used Textile Treasures Oct 25, 2017

Show notes

Anne Kelly: Textile Art From Re-used Textile Treasures SS014

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Anne Kelly shares her life in fabric & thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about her inspiration drawn from everyday objects and textiles, international travel and folk art.

Susan chats with Anne about:

International travel is not always a positive experience for everyone
Her Moving Memories collaborative project (come and join in)
Folk Art and being inspired by everyday, ordinary objects
Collage as the link from mixed media to textiles
Use those old pieces of fabric that you love - liberate your textile treasures!
Cover your background to remove that threat of a blank page
Writing books, teaching, and sharing our art
How the internet has transformed life for an artist
Thriving on 'happy accidents'
The unhelpfulness of self imposed pressures
How working on more than one project at a time can be very helpful but why multitasking is not...
Why not use your UFOs as a starting point for a new piece of work?

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Anne's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/annekelly

Visit: www.annekellyartist.net

Blog: https://annekellytextiles.blogspot.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annekellyartist

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Akellytextiles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annekellytextiles

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/acegkelly

And if you want to participate in the Moving Memories 'travel tags' collaborative project - Deadline for contributions is 22nd February 2018. Check out: https://annekellytextiles.blogspot.co.uk/p/exhibitionsevents.html

email for details: mail@annekellytextiles.com

Chris Gray: Medieval Mysteries, Mushrooms, Moths and Mice Oct 18, 2017

Show notes

Chris Gray: Medieval Mysteries, Mushrooms, Moths and Mice

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Chris Gray Shares Her Life In Fabric and Thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about research and inspirations from earlier periods of history, and her desire to present her art on 3d forms.

Susan chats with Chris about:

Using mushrooms, moths and mice to showcase work on ancient themes
The joys of blogging to inspire others
Being gripped by Medieval Mysteries
What on earth is a 'beakhead'
How very useful is expanding foam
Get yourself down to B&Q
Working small pieces to create large pieces
Opus Anglicanum and Medieval Crewel Work
Her longstanding relationship as a 'Stitch' magazine contributor
Teaching embroidery on cruise ships
The story of the French Knots and the Stabiliser...
Embroidery and caravan adventures

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Chris's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/chrisgray

Visit: http://mabonarts.co.uk

Blog: http://chris-gray-textile-art.blogspot.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=555382986

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/chrisgraytextileart/

Shirley Smith: Hand Embroidery & Mixed Media Artist Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

Shirley Smith: Hand Embroidery & Mixed Media Artist

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Shirley Smith Shares Her Life In Fabric & Thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about developing her artistic skills from lace to embroidery, and the friends and community spirit she enjoys within the embroidery 'world'.

Susan chats with Shirley about:

Her traditional start being surrounded by creative family members
Where changing an L to an E led her...
Inspiring tutors and mentors
Including stained glass into textile art
Taking part: Magna Carta & Jurist Edward Coke
Taking part: The White Walker's Blue Blingy Pendant
What happened to a major commission when Shirley fell down the stairs...
The fate of the Golden Plover
Juggling those metaphorical plates
Taking part and joining in

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Shirley's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/shirleysmith

You may contact Shirley via email shirley dot smith2 @ btinternet.com

Shirley is an exhibiting member of The Ebor Group based in York. She is also co-Chair of York branch of The Embroiderer's Guild http://yorkembroidery.blogspot.co.uk/

Ami James: How Textile Art Changed Her Life Oct 04, 2017

Show notes

Ami James: How Textile Art Changed Her Life

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Ami James Shares Her Life In Fabric & Thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about how textile art has changed her life, helped her recover from illness, and developing the courage to 'go for it' in 2017.

Susan chats with Ami about:

What happened when the Floristry class was full...
Coping with Bipolar Disorder with textile art
Developing new skills and continuous learning and development
Dyeing and printing fabric ends the search for the 'right' pieces of fabric
Drawing with sewing machine rather than paper and pencil
2017: gaining confidence and 'getting out there'
Developing exhibition experience and learning from group members
Overcoming our fear of rejection - not everyone will like everything we create
2 VERY funny stories when things didn't go as planned
Using 'Mindmaps' to capture inspiration and keep organised

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Ami's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/amijames

Visit: http://www.amijamestextileart.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Amijamestextiles

Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/@amijames_textiles

Article on TextileArtist.org http://www.textileartist.org/ami-james-how-textiles-can-change-lives/

Midlands Textile Forum: http://midlandstextileforum.com/

Quilter's Guild Derbyshire: http://region-10.quiltersguild.org.uk/about-region-10

Cas Holmes: Textile Artist & Tutor: Found-Stitch-Paint Sep 27, 2017

Show notes

Cas Holmes: Textile Artist & Tutor: Found-Stitch-Paint

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Cas Holmes shares her life in fabric & thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about her textile art work which is summed up in her own words as being Found-Stitch-Paint. Using those key elements of found materials, stitch and paint, Cas explores the connections between land, place and environment through pieces for exhibition, her tutoring and her books.

Susan chats with Cas about:

A lifelong interest in taking things apart and re-creating them
That dreaded school cross-stitch project
Paper and fabric as similar and interchangeable materials
Open your eyes to your surroundings
Deconstruction and layering
Wonder how we got onto Star Trek, fairground organs, and creativity vs linear thinking
Mastering your craft so it looks effortless and simple for the observer
The experience of writing books and encouraging people to create their own 'Stitch Stories'
The Pride Of India Award
Yes - you ARE good enough!
Using limited equipment and our hands, eyes and minds

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Cas's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/casholmes

Visit: http://www.casholmes.co.uk

Blog: http://www.casholmes.blogspot.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casholmes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casholmestextiles

During our chat Cas also mentioned:

Magdelena Abakanowicz https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/apr/24/magdalena-abakanowicz-obituary

Fibre Arts Australia: http://www.fibrearts.jigsy.com/

West Dean College: https://www.westdean.org.uk/

https://embroiderersguild.com/index.php?page_no=894#

Sue Stone: Textile Artist, Woman With A Fish & Current 62 Group Chair Sep 20, 2017

Show notes

Sue Stone: Textile Artist, Woman With A Fish & Current 62 Group Chair

Today on the Stitchery Stories podcast, Sue Stone aka 'The Woman With The Fish', Shares Her Life In Fabric & Thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about her journey through fashion, to embroidery, back to fashion to earn a living, and finally back to embroidery and her current achievements.

Susan chats with Sue about:

Her major exhibitions this year
Studying fashion but discovering embroidery from Constance Howard at Goldsmith's College
The theme of identity, portraits, people & life observations
Working with a small variety of stitches
Building layers and creating texture with hand embroidery & applique
Being current Chair of The 62 Group, as well as being an exhibiting member for the second time
Her first solo exhibition in USA in New York
Being featured on the front cover of 'Embroidery' Magazine
Re-use, Recycle, & Record our failures for future reference, as well as our successes
A busy schedule of exhibitions coming up over the next two years

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Sue's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/suestone

Visit: womanwithafish.com

Blog: womanwithafish.wordpress.com

Facebook: facebook.com/suestone.womanwithafish

Twitter: @womanwithafish

Instagram: @womanwithafish

Online Course: Sign up at http://www.textileartist.org/ to keep informed when the next one is running

Dionne Swift: Artist Creating Contemporary Embroidered Art Sep 13, 2017

Show notes

Today on the Stitchery Stories podcast, contemporary textile artist & tutor, Dionne Swift Shares Her Life In Fabric & Thread. She chats with Susan Weeks about developing rhythm and process as she recreates marks representing landscape not only in textiles but with paper and paint too.

Susan chats with Dionne about:

Her long-term project with North Yorkshire Military Wives
Stitching vs Painting in a competition at Windsor Castle!
Working through process rather than patterns and instructions
Being connected with her work and being in flow
Developing a sense of independence & ability to self-critique
Taking textile art to 'normal' Art shows & exhibitions
Changing techniques over the years... from Devoré to surface printing embellished with stitch to current landscape inspired contemporary embroidered art
Planning ahead into 2019
International travel & exhibition opportunities for textile art

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Dionne's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/dionneswift

Visit: http://www.dionneswift.co.uk/

Face book: https://www.facebook.com/DionneSwiftTextileArtist/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dionneswift/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/DionneSwift

Heather Cawte: Battle Of Stamford Bridge tapestry Project Sep 06, 2017

Show notes

Heather Cawte: Battle Of Stamford Bridge Tapestry Project.

Today on the Stitchery Stories podcast, Heather Cawte shares the story of the Battle Of Stamford Bridge Tapestry Project. It is a community embroidery celebrating the Battle Of Stamford Bridge in 1066. The project started in 2015 and great progress has been made, not just in the stitching, but in generating media atention and in fundraising.

Susan Weeks chats with Heather about: