Studio Journal

At Gressenhall Workhouse, unmarried mothers were once identified by distinctive yellow jackets. Following my visit to Maria Pavledis's powerful exhibition, I explore how clothing became a mark of shame — and why the women behind those garments deserve to be remembered.

What happens when we take textile art apart instead of building it up? I reconnect with my former City & Guilds tutor, Ruth Issett, to explore her work for the Textile Study Group's UNmaking exhibition, her love of colour and experimentation, and why revisiting old sketchbooks and unfinished work can open up entirely new creative possibilities.

Does textile art always need to involve stitching? From free-motion embroidery and traditional techniques to painted fabrics, Lutradur and experimental mixed media, discover why curiosity and a willingness to experiment can be just as important as the finished piece.

During my visit to Blickling Hall in Norfolk, I discovered historic crewel embroidery with a fascinating story to tell. From its intricate stitches and decorative motifs to the women who helped preserve it, these beautiful bed hangings have survived centuries of change. Join me as I explore their history, the art of textile conservation and how traditional embroidery continues to inspire my own creative work at Eau Brink Studio.

At Blickling Hall, historic portraits tell us about the men whose names and faces were recorded. But an extraordinary collection of global textiles brings another history into the room — generations of women whose names may be lost, but whose skill survives in cloth and stitch.

A visit to Oxburgh Hall and a closer look at the Marian Hangings led me to see Mary, Queen of Scots’ embroidery in a very different way. Were these simply decorative stitches made in captivity, or could they also carry messages of identity, memory and political intent?

A 500-year-old tapestry, a journey across the Atlantic, decades in private collections and a set of delicate drawings made in 1819. Discover the extraordinary story of Queen Esther and her return to Oxburgh Hall after more than a century away.

The Bayeux Tapestry is far more than a famous image of 1066. It is embroidery, storytelling, propaganda and the work of countless anonymous hands. With fascinating insight from local textile artist Mia Hansson, who has spent ten years creating a full-size replica, we look at the mistakes, mysteries and human stories hidden in the stitches.

People still want to learn, stitch and connect, but getting to an in-person workshop isn’t always possible. This blog looks at how the textile world is changing and how online communities such as Skool can make creative learning more flexible and accessible.

From the return of sewing and the growing recognition of textile art to sustainability, exhibitions and new technology, there is plenty happening in the textile world right now. I’ve been taking a look at some of the latest stories, including what’s happening here in Norfolk and how traditional skills are continuing to evolve.

Last week I wrote about something I feel quite strongly about. What if staying small is the business plan? After more than ten years running Eau Brink Studio, I know that I don't want to build a large company, nor do...

After more than ten years running Eau Brink Studio as a one-person business, I know I don’t want to build an empire — I want to create. This blog looks at why government support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) so often focuses on growth, scaling and expansion, and asks an important question: what if staying small is the business plan?

What if the scraps, offcuts and failed samples we are about to throw away are not waste at all, but the beginning of something new? This week I’m looking at how textile artists and makers can see discarded materials differently — and why creativity often starts with what is already in front of us.

Why does British-made often cost more? When you compare UK wages, small-scale production and the true cost of making with global mass production, the difference becomes much clearer. Perhaps handmade isn't overpriced at all — perhaps we've simply become used to textiles being incredibly cheap.

Is sewing really having a comeback, or did it never truly go away? With growing interest in fabric, workshops and making by hand, perhaps we are simply rediscovering the joy of creating something for ourselves.

New EU rules now prevent large companies from destroying unsold clothing and footwear. But why was this happening in the first place, and when did fabric become something we were prepared to treat as disposable? This blog explores textile waste, reuse and the creative possibilities in materials we already have.

Inspiration is all around us if we take the time to notice it. In this week's blog, I explore how learning to see like an artist has changed the way I look at the Norfolk landscape and how those everyday moments become embroidered textile art.

Every embroidered artwork I create begins with a photograph, but somewhere along the journey it becomes something entirely different. Where does photography end and textile art begin? Join me behind the scenes as I explore the decisions, edits and thousands of stitches that transform a captured moment into an original piece of embroidered art.

The current hosepipe ban has made me rethink how I use water in the studio. From tea and coffee dyeing to finding creative alternatives, sometimes the simplest changes can inspire entirely new ways of making.

People often say, "It must be lovely working for yourself." And it is… just not in the way most people imagine. Behind every workshop, handmade item and social media post are long days, late nights, hidden exhaustion and a passion that keeps sole traders going. This week I'm sharing the reality of running a creative business – the myths, the truths and why I wouldn't change it for the world.

When the temperatures soar, even our needles and fabrics seem to feel the heat. From chasing shady corners in the garden to retreating to the cool of the studio, here's how to keep your creativity flowing during a summer heatwave.