June 2026

Hey lovely Stitchers!

Firstly, a big "Welcome" to all my new subscribers!

I decided to skip my may newsletter because it took me a little while to get over the jet lag after seminar (Eurovision helped me stay up; when I wasn't nodding off 🤣) and then I came down with a nasty cold which I had some how managed to avoid all winter. Keep reading....I need your input on a new class!

I had a wonderful time at seminar, I met some lovely new students and was even able to have a lovely chat with one of my online students, Reina, in person! Tag me on Instagram if you're working on one of my kits. As per usual I was too busy teaching to take many photos 🙈. There was a wonderful park near the hotel which was so nice to have a walk around, there were so many Canadian Geese with Goslings, one couple had 16! I shared a room with the lovely Gail Harker, we hadn't met before the seminar but we became good friends. I had a few hours to wander around central Vancouver, mostly along the harbour, before my flight home and happened across a street sign for my surname!

I took last week off as it was too hot and also half term, just did little bits and pieces. I haven't taken much time off since Christmas so it was nice to have a break.

Upcoming Classes

Thank you to the 27 of you who registered for my new class with the EAC! All kits have been received safely, so now we just have a short wait until the class begins!

We extended the registration so that I could bring the sample with me to seminar, there's nothing quite like seeing a goldwork piece in person...so glittery!

I'm currently working on a new design for the RSN; this is due to run in spring 2027 and has been designed around the Fragile Threads theme. Here's a sneak peek at the work in progress.

Drawn threads, pulled work, couching and coffee painting (yes you read that right!)

Looking ahead at Fairy Wren

Another reason I've been putting off a newsletter is because I've been struggling with where to direct my focus with a huge reduction in the number of classes I have over the next year which has been out of my control. So the remainder of this year I've decided to put my energy where it's mine to control. What this means is that I likely won't have any more classes until late Autumn or after the new year because they take time to plan, organise, market and send out. Over the next few weeks, I plan to develop new short- and long-term classes, review my branding/website, and revisit my artistic practice, which has been on hold for some time.

New class formats

Initially I am planning to run online classes only at the moment so that I am not limited by location. I also want to offer a range of options to suit different budgets. So the first run of these will be live online sessions (Zoom), limited to 14 students. It will then be followed by self-paced forum version much like those with the EGA and EAC with a larger number of students, for some classes this will be limited depending on the materials.

Private sessions

From September I will also begin offering private sessions both online and also in person at my studio to assist with designing a new project, providing help with a current one, or offering guidance on specific techniques. I'm still determining how this will be organized on my website, so stay tuned. It will likely involve two pre-bookable one-hour session a week, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a 24-hour cut-off, since last-minute bookings don't give me enough time to prepare. These will be limited to one person per session and cost £75. If there is more demand I will add more sessions after the first month.

Box class Poll

I know some of you have expressed interest in a beginners box class. I'm planning a new one — shorter than my last version — and want to get the format right this time, so I'd love your input. To help plan a class you want to take it would be really helpful if you can answer some questions:

• Do you want a complete kit, everything included (no equipment)

• Or a basic kit (card, needles, tape) and provide your own fabric, threads and felt?

• Do you want a simple embroidery design added or just plain to focus on the making?

• If just plain would you prefer fabric that comes from a wholesaler, perhaps a specific designer?

• Would you like an exclusive fabric designed just for the class by me? like my Mushroom box class.

• If the fabric designed by me I could look making it into extras such as needle minders?

P.S There's a clickable poll at the end.

I need your input for EAC Montreal 2028

I am also planning to submit some designs for the EAC seminar in Montreal in 2028. During my time in Vancouver, it was recommended that beginner classes would be highly valued. Therefore, I am open to any suggestions on techniques that potential attendees would like to see included as I develop some designs. The only technique I'm not considering is classes focused solely on Goldwork, there were already many Goldwork submissions for 2027, and the material costs remain high. That doesn't mean I won't incorporate small elements, but not an entire class dedicated to Goldwork.

Hit reply with your suggestions — even a one-word answer helps me plan.

Kits in the shop

If you missed out on recent classes, I'm starting to put together a small number of kits in the shop, I've just added 'Tea Time,' which was previously only available as an in-person RSN experience class.

If there’s a past class kit you’d love to see re-stocked, just send me a message or if its on the website then just click the notify when back in stock button — if enough people ask or if I have some spare materials I’ll happily make a few up.

Artistic Practice

There should be more to see next month, once I stop procrastinating!

Personal

In March, I ordered a Hake Frame for hand quilting. Since it was custom-made, it took a few weeks to arrive. This frame is similar to a slate frame but features square roller bars and has holes for the split pins that are spaced further apart. While it can be used like a slate frame, it won't achieve drum-tight tension. This allows me to work on much larger commissions and use it for quilts. Setting it up for quilting is much quicker since there's no need to stitch the fabric in place; pinning is sufficient, and side strings aren't necessary. I did have to order some IKEA trestles to accompany it because my current ones are suitable for a smaller frame but unstable for the longer one. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about the space between them either, as the frame is about 2.5 metres long! I know I'm lucky to have enough space in my studio for it, hence ordering the largest size (king). Excuse the mess, its a work in progress, I've started to make a quilt for my youngest...he wanted a rainbow quilt 🌈

Anyone else made the leap to a frame this size, or thinking about it?

I'm happy to share what I learn as I go and I'd love to see what your quilting, email or Tag me on Instagram!

Stay connected

If you know someone who'd love the Fragile Threads sneak peek, forward this their way.

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Box Class Poll

• 0%Full Kit
• 0%Part Kit
• 0%Simple Embroidery Design
• 0%Plain Box

See All Results

You can vote for more than one answer.