When Susanne de Beer enrolled on our Skill Stage 3, intermediate Machine Embroidery course, she was already an experienced sewer and quilter. What she was seeking was not simply a new technique, but deeper confidence, structured progression, guided creative freedom and a qualification that would carry weight beyond hobby learning.
Through the School of Stitched Textiles and her City & Guilds qualification, Susanne did far more than master free motion embroidery. She learned how to transform ideas into resolved textile art, how to research with purpose, how to experiment with confidence and how to think like a professional maker. The accredited framework gave her structure. The tutor support gave her belief. The process revealed an artist she had not fully recognised in herself.
Now living in the United States, Susanne carries not just new technical skills with her, but the assurance that her work stands on a solid, internationally recognised foundation. Her journey is a powerful example of what can happen when creative ambition is supported by rigorous study and meaningful accreditation.
Susanna de Beer
“One sort of surprising thing to me, is that the learning material and your tutor honestly respect your ideas, and takes you seriously as someone who makes art. So, in a way, this showed me a different maker/artist side of myself, which I am now developing further.”
Motivation for studying
By the time I enrolled, I had been an experienced garment sewer and a keen quilter for a number of years. I did not have any experience in machine embroidery, so it was a new field for me.
I was looking for a course in free motion machine embroidery. I saw what could be done with thread painting on a sewing machine and I was keen to develop the skills to use my sewing machine in this way.
I wanted to do an accredited course, because I would be able to put it on my curriculum vitae. I have taught in further education for many years, so in the back of my mind I always have a dream to teach textiles and sewing at some point in the future. So, I think having an accredited course on my CV may bring me a step closer to this dream.
Biggest takeaways
The scope of the course blew my mind! I only set out to learn free motion machine embroidery, but I came away with so much more.
Firstly, the course took me through the process of design and how to turn an idea into fabric. Then came a broad number of textile techniques that opened my eyes to what is achievable with textile arts. I think the course helped me ‘find my tribe’. The course requires you to do research on other artists and through this activity I discovered textile artists that had mastered amazing techniques to turn textiles into art, and I think this gave me a foundation for all my future learning in the field.
Finally, the business skills modules was a challenge but an eye-opener. I had never before thought this through, so the business models were incredibly useful to practice a bit and understand what it takes to run even the most rudimentary business with your textile art.
Structured learning, creative freedom
I have recently moved to America and now find myself on the continent of quilts. So, in the next few years, I plan to take my quilting skills to the next level. I am also working on my design, drawing skills and researching traditional and indigenous textile techniques.
I think the course taught me how to use research and experimenting in my craft and I want to immerse myself in this, to develop it further as a way of working and to discover how this transfers into my textile art. One sort of surprising thing to me, is that the learning material and your tutor honestly respect your ideas, and takes you seriously as someone who makes art. So, in a way, this showed me a different maker/artist side of myself, which I am now developing further.
I would absolutely recommend this course. The syllabus and the timing of the course assignments give you a structure which ensures that you pick up a rhythm of learning. So it is like a guide not only presents you with the knowledge, but also gently forces you to practice your skills and actually, help you discover your style/voice is in textiles. And it is lovely, to know that you are part of a cohort of students (through the Facebook group) that are all on this journey together. I would recommend the course because it gives you equal measures of momentum and support to develop your skills.
Advice for suture students
Understand that the course is not just about learning skills, but that you are going on a journey to become a more skilled maker and that you will have to confront your artistic side along the way. Remember that this is a process, a way of developing a design and creative mindset. So do meticulous research in your design modules, so that you have things to work on which you really adore.
Celebrate your efforts, because the time and effort you spend on realising your ideas, move you to a next level. Give yourself credit for that! Do your best, because you might not revisit a technique or product, but then you will know that what you have created truly speaks about who you are. And absolutely communicate with your tutor and talk to your classmates on Facebook, they will all cheer you on! Sometimes it will get challenging to balance life and learning, but stick it out, it is totally worth it.
