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03 May 2022
Suzette’s interest in “telling stories in stitch” developed when, with a new Bernina, she managed to find time (whilst also looking after three small children!) to explore free machine embroidery which she frequently combined with the collage work that she had been involved with for a long time. Pieces reflected both family life, such as days at the seaside, and where she was living close to the Welsh coast.
Throughout her career, Suzette’s work has reflected life outside her door. She now lives in North Shropshire and draws inspiration from her garden, walks locally along a towpath or further afield e.g. Offa’s Dyke (where she stitched en-route). Pieces are characterised by “little figures” of people, animals such as foxes, birds such as pheasants and plant life such as alliums and elderberries.
Ideas are presented in a variety of ways – pictures, stitched concertina books, sewn needle cases and boxes, many of which have stories associated with them. Materials used for these include recycled clothes, scraps of fabric that she has been given, handmade felt etc. Apart from the free machining, pieces are embellished with hand embroidery. Recently, she has begun to use more mixed media materials such as gesso, silk paint and fabric crayons.
Suzette generously shared with the group the process she uses for her free machine embroidery and the way she transfers images and writing onto her work.
Pieces are exhibited both locally e.g. during Open Studio events in Oswestry, and nationally e.g. with her winning entries in the Madeira Threads’ Competition at the N.E.C. She is regularly sought after for talks and workshops. During the period of Covid, she diversified into “Workshops in a Box” and “Workshops on the Web”.
Her love of stitching is obvious for all to see. Passing her work around gave everyone the opportunity to look closely at the detail of this and her use of rich colour. We all shared in a “visual feast” which inspired us.
MKG
Our May 2022 gallery
