Suzette is a textile artist whose multi-layered work blends fabric collage, free-machine and hand stitching, and mixed media. Her practice is deeply rooted in narrative and memory, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the stories woven into the materials themselves.

Working mostly with repurposed and found fabrics—often thrifted, gifted, or carrying personal histories—Suzette embraces reuse as both a creative choice and an environmentally conscious practice. Linen, lace and fabric scraps become the foundation for pieces that layer imagery, meaning, and texture. Birds encountered on walks and family mementoes such as a women’s land army badge, are recurring motifs, bringing character and intimacy to her work.

Suzette’s exploration of “windows” within her pieces has become a distinctive feature of her recent work. These openings invite curiosity and discovery, offering something different from her artist books. One early example was created for a stitched story of a cuckoo. It included a fragment of red quilt fabric to hint at the threat they sometimes pose to other birds.

Suzette delivers workshops and talks to groups throughout the UK and in the SW France for French General. She is co-curator of the acclaimed Stitch By Stitch exhibition at The Willow Gallery in Oswestry. In the early 1990s she studied Fashion and Textile Design at the University of Ulster, Belfast.

On this 2 day workshop with Suzette Smart, you will combine fabric, paper and hand stitching to create a story which might be one you know, or you make as you create. Suzette will share with you her inspiration that led to the windows and bring along some of her favourite sample pieces.

On day one there will be a run through of the structure of the windows before you begin. The first step will be to make a collage using fabric and paper onto Bondaweb which will be used for one side of the doors. These will be built up with other layers and stitches. They may be backed with a personal piece of fabric or maybe an old letter.

Moving from the outside to the inside we will start creating a collaged story which might include an old photograph. This might be developed further with a stitched name or place.

On day two you will add more stitching and continue with the construction of your windows. Suzette will show you some of the simple stitches she uses. You may wish to add personal mementoes like an old charm or key.

A simple running stitch along each side brings the pieces together. A mix of old and new materials can be used. Vintage linens make a firm background.

No previous experience is needed.

Website- https://suzettesmart.com/

Instagram- @suzettesmarttextiles

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