Designing and weaving

textiles ia a living, breathing activity. I am constantly stimulated and influenced by street scenes, landscapes, architecture and even the objects I have found.

Whichever image I choose to depict, my first consideration is how to produce a fabric with the same colour and texture. With each project, I enjoy a quiet excitement and anticipation, as every delicate stage moves closer to producing a unique example of textile art.

Choosing the yarn is the first step. If the final colour is to be different, it will need to be dyed. I hand dye all my fabrics using natural pigments extracted from vegetables and plants.

Next is to design the structure, and select the width and length of the finished fabric.

Only once these preliminary steps are complete is it time to dress the loom.