Hilary Belchak
I am a latecomer to textile arts. After retiring from a career in law, I took a course in Felt-making at the City Lit Institute in London in 2011. I loved it and followed up the introductory course by enrolling on the City and Guilds Felt-making textile course in mid 2012 online with Artybird. This has been a most enjoyable challenge and I am looking forward to starting the second year. 
Lesley Buckwell
I have sewn since I was a child, but during a long teaching teaching, this was largely utilitarian. On retiring I started to get back in touch with my creative side, initially through painting, drawing and printmaking, before returning to textiles. Having completed a C&G Certificate in Machine Embroidery, I am now doing the Diploma.Much of my work relates to my love of landscape, travel and history. I have a particular interest in printing and enjoy building up layers and surface texture. Most of all I love experimenting. 
Sally Mills
I have complete City & Guilds in Patchwork and Quilting at both Certificate and Diploma level. Much of my work has been connected with indigo dyeing, in particular using Shibori techniques. This is the Japanese technique where binding, clamping or gathering the cloth is used to prevent dye reaching parts of the fabric. I mainly use Nui Shibori where tightly pulled stitching is used to create the design. I have use a combintion of stitching, beads and natural objects to enhance my work, but lately I have been concentrating on embroidery. 
Carol Sutherland
I learned to embroider at the age of ten, when I was given a tray cloth by my Grandmother who believed I spent too much time with my nose in a book. I haven't stopped since, slowly working my way from transfers and kits to creating my own work. I have a City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Creative Embroidery taken with Isabel Clover at Suffolk College and I am a member of The Embroiderers Guild and Chain Reaction. |
Liz Chester
I originally learned to weave tapestry as a teenager with the Lyth Tapestry Weavers of Caithness in Scotland ( now defunct). I then pursued a career in IT and weaving became a passionate hobby. In 2008 I opted for redundancy and took the plunge to become a professional tapestry weaver. Since then I have joined the Suffolk Craft Society, Textile Art Group Suffolk (TAGS) and more recently, Chain Reaction. I exhibit my work locally, nationally and occasionally internationally. Presently I work mostly for exhibition submission, but I am slowly building up commissioned work and welcome any requests. 
Alison Couchman
I trained as an Art teacher and have also spent some time in industry working for an educational supply company. This gave me the courage to start my own business training teachers and teaching adults. I also work as an Art Education Consultant and still do some supply teaching. I am currently working on a series of whole-cloth painted quilts including several based on water. My work is primarily wall-hung although I have a love of working in 3D, particularly making large vessel forms. I belong to Textile Art Group Suffolk (TAGS), Diss Embroidery Group and Chain Reaction.
Katie Walker
Having studied Art & Design at Colchester Institute, in recent years I have concentrated on developing interest and skills in felted textiles. I use a range of techniques to form structural shapes and images using merino wool in a wide, bright colour range. My inspiration has evolved from the 60's era and I enjoy experimenting with designs, styles and techniques in all aspects of feltmaking. I am a member of Suffolk Craft Society and Textile Art Group Suffolk (TAGS), and my work is exhibited widely in East Anglia. |
