Our Textile Artists
Laura Butt
Laura transforms images into fabric through the use of layers and free motion embroidery.
Currently Laura is combining her love of maps and textile; creating textile maps which you see here today. In the maps she uses the pleasure she takes from looking at and working with fabric and colour; combining the two so they compliment each other, the area and reflect the emotion of the piece. Laura uses satellite images, OS maps, local and historical maps, as well as ‘walking research’ initially to research the place.
She then chooses fabric and thread before layering the fabric like a collage. Once the fabric is down, she uses free motion embroidery to add detail and texture. Free motion embroidery is much like using a pencil, however the needle is static and it is the fabric that moves.
Laura chooses the locations from the walks she takes around this beautiful county as well as commissions of peoples special places.
Nicky Stockley
Whilst predominantly a painter, Nicky has been fabric designing and sewing for a fair few years now. A project she started with her nanna after finishing her masters degree. Nicky likes to imagine interesting and fun ways to capture local wildlife and places in fabric whilst also staying true to the intricate linework, patterns and details she captures in her paintings.