Page 14 - The Digital Cloth Issue 6

The first workshop
was a steep
learning curve.
I had taught
before, but nothing
on this scale. I was
quite naive going in to

to be with my children it, I had a class of twelve
helped me to find very talented, strong-minded

more focus with my (and luckily lovely) stitchers, and
sculptures, I started to I told them they could make
make what I wanted, as anything they wanted! Well -
opposed to creating that was an experience, in
commissions to client five days, we were producing
specifications. I could only life size kangaroo’s, dancing
stitch at night, after the boys ducks, dogs, meerkats, frill-necked
were in bed. The time was lizards, sea serpents,
precious and focused, which you name it... it was wonderful
encouraged me to refine my process and it was terrifying! The
and develop my style. resulting work was mind

blowing, and it ignited a
Shortly after, I was approached by passion for teaching that I had
an organisation called ‘Fibre Arts never felt before, I learnt so much
Australia’, asking if I would like to from the students, probably much
travel to Australia to deliver two five more than they did from me.
day textile sculpture workshops. It
seemed like a crazy thing to do, with My approach has always been just
two small children and little experience; to get stuck in, I don’t tend to sketch
it was a ’feel the fear and do it anyway` out idea’s, I look at photo’s of

situation. I’m so glad I went for it, and I animals for reference and
can’t thank Glenys Mann and the then start creating a form with
Fibre Arts team enough, for giving me fabric and stuffing, adding wire
that opportunity and for their part in armature where required. I wrap and
opening a whole new chapter of my stuff, pulling it all into place with stitch,
textile journey. then piece and patch until a lifelike