In the October issue of Bustle & Sew Magazine we were delighted to feature an interview with the very talented Emma Gatehouse. Emma is a textiles artist, making free motion embroidery images of British wildlife. She grew up learning about British birds and wildlife, encouraged by her Grandmother who was awarded an MBE for her services to the RSPB.
We asked Emma if she could tell us a bit about her design process. She said…
“I start with a sketch. I’m quite meticulous about the drawing process – doing lots of measuring to make sure the proportions are right. Then I prepare the fabric for stitching – I tend to have several layers of fabric to make it denser so the fabric won’t bunch up as much. I stretch the fabric into a hoop and draw an outline of the sketch onto fabric and start to stitch. I change the thread and the bobbin continuously, so that the colours build up and merge to make the image. From my detailed embroideries I then have fabrics and prints made up.”
We also asked Emma if she would share her tips for anyone wanting to start their own business;
“Be involved in your local arts and crafts teams – join online groups, go to local meetups, visit craft fairs/events and chat to the artists. It’s about meeting others who are going through the same process as you. There’s a massive support network out there of other makers – their support and advice has been invaluable to me.”
Be sure to pop over to Emma’s website to find out more about her gorgeous creations.
Read the full interview in the October issue of Bustle & Sew Magazine!
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