Biography

Following a foundation course at Winchester School of Art, I spent three years studying Visual Communications at Watford School of Art before working in graphic design for many years.

In 1996 I began working with textiles, initially in my spare time, when I joined a City & Guilds course in Patchwork & Quilting. I learned many traditional skills but have never been interested in making traditional quilts.

Having found my preferred medium, I continue to work with fabric and thread to create unique wallhangings. I paint or dye many of the fabrics that I use.

Resigning from full time employment followed by a move to Dorset in 2004 has allowed me to devote more time to stitch.

My work has been illustrated in many publications, including several European quilting magazines, and profile features have appeared in The Quilter, Popular Patchwork, Pretty Stitches and Today's Quilter.

I belong to several quilting groups and organisations including The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles, Contemporary Quilt, By Design and All Stitched Up.

Solo exhibitions include:

Threads & Patches, Eype Centre for the Arts, Dorset 2022
International Quiltfestival, Luxembourg 2016
Interpretations :
- Carrefour Européen du Patchwork, Alsace, France 2014
- Eype Centre for the Arts, Dorset 2015
- Old Chapel Textile Centre, Newbury, Berkshire 2015
Captured in cloth :
- Festival of Quilts, NEC Birmingham UK. 2012
- Eype Centre for the Arts, Dorset 2013
- Old Chapel Textile Centre, Newbury, Berkshire 2013
Dorset Art Weeks 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018

My work has often been selected for exhibitions including:

Uncharted Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham 2022 and other venues during 2022 - 2023
Textiles on the Edge Yellow Edge Gallery, Gosport, Hampshire 2020
The Bloomfield Gallery Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham 2019
Re-vision Contemporary Quilt touring exhibition 2019 - 2021
In Print Contemporary Quilt touring exhibition, various venues 2018-2020
New Quilting Rheged Centre, Cumbria 2017
Moving on Quilters' Guild exhibition, Creative Crafts, Olympia, London 2016
Contemporary Threads Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury, Wiltshire 2016
The Living World Quilters' Guild touring exhibition, various venues 2016 - 2017
On the Edge Contemporary Quilt touring exhibition, various venues 2016 - 2017
Imprints Museum of Somerset, Taunton 2015
Elements Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham 2015 and other venues during 2015 & 2016
Dislocation Too Weavers' Gallery, Ledbury, Herefordshire 2015
Inspirations Knitting & Stitching Show, Olympia, London 2015
Quilts of Great Britain Ailsa Craig Quilt Festival, Canada 2014
Textile Surfaces Walford Mill Crafts, Wimborne, Dorset 2014
Horizon Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham 2013 and other venues during 2014
CQ@10 Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham and other venues during 2012 & 2013
acCent! Art quilts of the UK National Quilt Museum, Paducah KY, USA 2012
H2O Walford Mill Crafts, Wimborne, Dorset 2010
Breakthrough The Quilt Museum and Gallery, York 2010
The Thin Blue Line The Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes, Wales 2009
Pearls, Pearls, Pearls The Quilt Museum and Gallery, York 2009
Colour Full Textile Forum South West, Salisbury, Wiltshire 2007
Full Spectrum Sherborne House, Sherborne, Dorset 2006
Elements of Nature Nature in Art Museum, Twigworth, Gloucestershire 2006
Fabric of Nature Nature in Art Museum, Twigworth, Gloucestershire 2004
Quilt 2001 Knitting & Stitching Shows, various venues 2001
Rise & Shine Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracy, Devon 2001

I have won awards at major quilt exhibitions including:

1st prize in the Quilters' Guild Challenge at the Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham. 2019
2nd Prize in the Quilt Creations class at the Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham. 2011
Runner up in the Quilters' Guild Challenge at the Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham. 2010
1st Place in Festival Challenge at the National Quilt Championships, Sandown. 2010
1st Place in Festival Challenge at the National Quilt Championships, Sandown. 2005
Overall Champion at The Celebration of the Garden, RHS Rosemoor. 2004
2nd Place of Country (UK) at the World Quilt & Textile Show, USA. 2003
1st Place in Seventh Horizon at the Spring Quilt Festivals. 2003
Art Quilt trophy at the National Quilt Championships, Sandown. 2002

plus many other place awards and merits.