IT STARTS BEFORE THE FIRST STITCH When I teach free-motion quilting, I don’t start with patterns—I start with you and your sewing machine. Before we stitch a single line, we look at posture. How are you sitting? Are your shoulders up around your ears? Where are your hands? It sounds like such a small thing but it makes a huge difference. The moment you relax your body, your stitching starts to relax too. That’s where it all begins. KEEPING IT SIMPLE (On purpose!) From there,

Inspiration for textile art often comes from the smallest corners of nature. South Africa’s tidal pools are teeming with fascinating little creatures that are so easily overlooked! These cuties are wonderful inspiration for me but of course, being an artist, I have the freedom to recreate them in any medium or colour. Being a fibre artist makes it even better! I can use fabric to create colourful crabs. That is exactly what I did. COLOURFUL CRAB I have a fabric stash that is

When creating an art quilt, fabric choice becomes far more than a design decision — it becomes part of the message. The theme calls on us, as quilters, to show awareness of our endangered environment and fabric is one of the most powerful tools we have to do exactly that. Art quilts allow us to step outside the rules of traditional quilting and embrace texture, contrast and unexpected materials. They invite us to experiment, to repurpose and to tell stories — not only with im

WHY ENTERING YOUR QUILT MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK. Every second year, as the South African National Quilt Festival approaches, I start hearing the same quiet concerns from students and fellow quilters: ‘My quilt isn’t good enough.’ ‘I can’t compete against master quilters.’‘ The judges terrify me.’ Every year, I want to gently shake you and say: you’re missing the point of quilt competitions entirely! I am not only talking about the South African quilters! Many of you are f

It’s happened again! December has once again sneaked up on me! However, I must admit, it feels like a gentle exhale after a long, busy year. It’s the one time when I deliberately slow down and make space for all the things that simply don’t fit into the rest of the year. I walk more — longer walks, unhurried ones — because the weather is glorious. I get up earlier too when the world feels fresh and quiet, before the heat and the noise arrive. Those early mornings are a gift.

Hi everyone! Just lately I’ve been exploring a few ideas that have been sitting quietly in the back of my mind — and one of them has taken me down the most unexpected path. Paper. Not the kind I write class notes on but paper as a material. I’ve started looking at it differently and it has completely shifted the way I think about what “textile” really means. So today, I’d like to share a few thoughts on this idea of paper as textile — because once you see it that way, you ca

It’s that time of the year again — when pumpkins grin, ghosts float about and spiders suddenly become fashionable! Whether you’re planning to dress up or simply enjoy the spooky atmosphere, why not bring a touch of Halloween into your quilting? I’ve got a few fun ideas to help you add some playful “scary” touches to your stitching. A Spider Web Corner Filler When I’m doing graffiti quilting, I often get stuck for ideas to fill awkward corners. That’s when a spider web comes t

When most people in my community hear the words free-motion machine embroidery , they immediately picture it on a quilt top—swirling...

As quilters, we often think of fabric as a source of comfort—soft, colourful and deeply tied to tradition. Fabric can also be a powerful...

There’s something deeply magical about capturing the spirit of a wild creature with fabric and thread—especially when it’s one of our...

WORKING WITH COLOUR: WHAT WE FEEL…WHAT WE CREATE As quilters and textile artists, we often talk about fabric, thread, texture and...

There’s something magical about watching a flat piece of fabric transform into a richly textured artwork with nothing more than a sewing...

Where Old Meets New in Textile Art Quilting has a long and rich history. For generations, it’s been a way to preserve memories, tell...

CHALLENGING THE NORMS OF TEXTILE ART There’s something exhilarating about breaking the rules—especially the ones we don’t even realize...

EMBRACE THE SEWING MACHINE IN NEW WAYS As quilters and textile artists, we often find comfort in the familiar—the hum of our sewing...

The new year has started and for me, it brings with it a pull towards renewal and fresh beginnings and I think a lot of you feel the same...

CATCHING ME BY SURPRISE Every year I think I am well prepared for the festive season and every year it catches me by surprise! This...

TIPS FOR FIBRE AND TEXTILE ARTISTS Exhibiting artwork is an exciting yet often nerve-wracking experience, especially for fibre artists....

In the world of fibre art, the tactile nature of materials and the thoughtful creation of textures allow artists to express deep emotions...

We've all been there: knowing that the deadline for a big project is looming, but somehow leaving it until the last minute. The stress...