Follow our blog and hear our student views. If there is something that a particular students wants us to talk about or discuss then this is the place to do it. We’ll research, explore or interview a chosen artist and write an in-depth blog on request. This is also the perfect place for students to contribute their own work and thoughts on studying with the School of Stitched Textiles.
For Alison Fraser, creativity was once second nature. Inspired by her mother’s exquisite hand embroidery, she spent her early years immersed in knitting, patchwork, and needlework projects. But like so many of us, life took her in a different direction—into a decades-long career in finance that left little time for
For passionate quilter and sewing tutor Lucy Morrison, enrolling onto the Textiles Skill Stage 2 course with the School of Stitched Textiles marked a turning point in both her creative and professional journey. Despite years of dedication to patchwork and quilting, Lucy felt the absence of a formal qualification sometimes
When Fenella Fowkes embarked on our City & Guilds Machine Embroidery course (Skill Stage 3) with the School of Stitched Textiles, she was searching for more than just technical skills—she wanted to overcome the frustration of distortion and puckering in her work, to push her creative boundaries, and to find
Louise Kidd’s journey with hand embroidery is a testament to the power of creativity in personal and professional transformation. Having recently graduated from our Intermediate Hand Embroidery course (Skill Stage 3), Louise shares how the program reignited a passion rooted in childhood memories and helped her turn a cherished pastime
Melissa Taylor began learning crochet by attending a beginner’s workshop and getting help from YouTube. However, her desire to design her own patterns and specialise in crochet flowers led her to the School of Stitched Textiles, where she found the perfect blend of advanced techniques and an accredited qualification. Our
Kirsten Shearer’s interest in embroidery was sparked while studying for a National Certificate in Art & Design. She enrolled onto our course to develop a greater understanding of embroidery and developing creative confidence. Having completed our beginner’s Hand Embroidery course (Skill Stage 2 ) Kirsten shares her experience of studying
Clare Allison’s story will sound so familiar to many of us. Having always dabbled with various textile crafts, it wasn’t until her children went off to university that Clare had time to pursue and explore her creative side. Having completed our Beginner’s Patchwork and Quilting Course (Skill Stage 2) Clare
In the midst of uncertainty and solitude during the Covid lockdowns, many found solace in various hobbies. For Teresa Miller, it was a journey back to her roots of crafting that not only helped her navigate through the tough times but also unlocked a newfound passion for hand embroidery. Having
First published in March 2020 and updated in 2023. Amanda has always had a passion for crochet, but life got in the way and prevented her from giving it much attention. Finding a way to switch off from life stresses she turned to crochet and realised that she was really
As an experienced embroiderer, Sara Lambert was initially unsure about studying with us. However, when the Pandemic struck she began to look for a different focus, a distraction. Having complete our Skill Stage 3 course, Sara told us that she hadn’t expected to learn such a large variety of techniques.
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