In this Stitchery Stories episode, host Susan Weeks chats with Sally McCollin, a textile artist, designer, and educator with a fascinating career spanning publishing, design, and teaching.

From early beginnings knitting mohair jumpers for pocket money to working with major craft companies like Patons & Baldwins (now Coats Crafts), Sally has had an incredible journey in the textile industry. She shares insights into her commercial design work, editorial roles, teaching, and her passion for inspiring others through online embroidery courses, and textile art courses.

Key Talking Points:

From hobby to profession: How Sally's love for textiles grew from childhood sewing to a career in knitting, embroidery, and design.

Working in the commercial craft industry: Her experience designing knitting patterns and working in PR for Coats Crafts.

Teaching and inspiring others: How she transitioned into teaching and developed unique textile art courses.

Embroidery Skills Courses: The thought process behind creating courses that blend design and embroidery techniques.

The importance of play in design: Encouraging creativity through experimentation rather than rigid instruction.

Balancing creativity and deadlines: Funny behind-the-scenes stories of stitching projects for magazine features.

Love for Shibori and fabric dyeing: Why fabric manipulation and color experimentation remain her favorite techniques.

Relevant Links:

For this episode... View Links, information & Examples of Sally's work at https://stitcherystories.com/sallymccollin

Visit: https://courses.embroiderersguild.com/

Read: https://courses.embroiderersguild.com/p/blog?p=your-online-embroidery-tutor

About Stitchery Courses!

VISIT Stitchery Courses a brilliant new place to find expert teachers, helpful info & fun courses to learn stitching, making & crafting with thread, fabric & yarn https://www.stitcherycourses.com

GET LISTED on Stitchery Courses if you teach you art, craft, skills with thread, fabric & yarn and tap into this unique place to regularly market your classes and courses and get a steady stream of eager new 'eyes' onto your business! DON'T MISS OUT! https://www.stitcherycourses.com/join

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Other Episodes You Might Like:

Elizabeth Ashdown is one of only 4 hand Passementerie artists working in the UK today. She combines traditional and endangered craft skills with a contemporary aesthetic to create innovative passementerie.

In this episode of Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Susan Weeks chats with Elizabeth Ashdown, for a glimpse into the world of hand woven passementerie. She makes and weaves bespoke trimmings, braids, tassels, fringes, and more. Her work spans interior design, fashion, and fine art, and she is passionate about reviving and sustaining this traditional craft. Elizabeth shares her journey, current projects, and insights into her creative process, making Passementerie both accessible and exciting for modern life!

Elizabeth & Susan chat about:

What is Passementerie? Elizabeth explains this fascinating craft of creating small-scale textiles like tassels, braids, and fringes.

Her unique journey: How she transitioned from traditional weaving into self-taught Passementerie and worked with master craftspeople to hone her skills.

Reviving an endangered craft: Elizabeth highlights the challenges and joys of being one of only four remaining hand Passementerie artists in the UK.

Custom creations: Her collaborations with interior and fashion designers to create bespoke trims, from bold artworks to intricate pieces for coats and furnishings.

Modernising Passementerie: Her use of vibrant colors and contemporary designs to dispel the notion of Passementerie as "old-fashioned."

Historical inspiration: Insights into the craft's heritage, from its origins in global simple pratical items, thru its opulent French period and into modern use.

Key milestones:Winning the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust scholarship and training with master craftsperson Brian Turner.

Future plans: Launching a collaboration with Samuel & Sons in January and her ongoing mission to teach and inspire others to explore Passementerie.

Listen to learn more about this fascinating craft and how Elizabeth is determined to keep it alive, relevant and in-demand for 21st Century fashion and interiors.

Some Links & Further Info

Links For Elizabeth Ashdown

Listen to Elizabeth's episode & View her artwork here: https://stitcherystories.com/elizabethashdown

Visit: https://elizabethashdown.co.uk/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/ashdowntextiles/

About Stitchery Courses!

VISIT Stitchery Courses a brilliant new place to find expert teachers, helpful info & fun courses to learn stitching, making & crafting with thread, fabric & yarn

https://www.stitcherycourses.com

GET LISTED on Stitchery Courses if you teach you art, craft, skills with thread, fabric & yarn and tap into this unique place to regularly market your classes and courses and get a steady stream of eager new 'eyes' onto your business!

DON'T MISS OUT! https://www.stitcherycourses.com/join