Passionate about Textiles

My relationship with textiles has evolved over time. I have learnt to explore beyond the boundaries for the potential to morph, to transform and ultimately reinvent. Years of studying has taught me that a textile is more than a piece of cloth or fabric. It can be a leaf, a petal, a plastic bag, paper, wood, metal, a strip of bark. Anything you can work with to cut, stitch, mould, sculpt, deconstruct, reconstruct, burn, singe, cut and stitch again.

An oblong of copper metal heated with a heat gun for approximately 5 minutes. Cut into four curving shapes. Reassembled with gaps in between. The gaps are backed with soluble paper for stability. Free Motion Machine stitched into the metal and across the paper backing to the opposite metal shape to connect. The void is densley free motion stitched with a variety of weights of thread.

Textile Art using Monoprinting on painted Tyvek and bonding it to polyester fabric. Then using a heat gun to melt away and distort.

White polyester lining hooped and free motion machine stitched to outline the design.
Dyed blue cotton overlaid on the polyester, hooped and the design line free motion machine stitched from reverse.
Areas of the blue cotton cut away. While still in the hoop the design is heat treated with a gun to melt away much of the polyester.
Cellophane painted with acrylic paint and pleated. Pleated cellophane hooped with the polyester cotton design pinned in place and areas of the design free motion machine stitched.
Excess polyester heat treated to leave as little as possible.

Handmade wooden frame wrapped vertically with thick yarn. Lengths of wire positioned central to two lines of yarn and then the braids stitched from right to left wrapping around the central wire. Both ends of wire curled to hold in place.
Horizontal braids created by wrapping short lengths of yarn across vertical lines.
The whole structure is dipped in paper pulp and while wet blue dye added.
When dry the structure is backed by dyed silk hankies.

Silk Paper is a lustrous textile made using layers of silk fibres or hankies which can be lightweight and translucent. The layering method can be used to trap more solid materials to create the appearance of suspension and see-through.

This method of colouring is ideal for use on Silk Fabric when required to dye several colours randomly arranged. It is possible to control the placing of the colours in a slight pattern formation. It is also possible to dye cotton fabrics and threads in this way if they are made damp first to allow the dyes to be soaked up.

Commercial wool felt in two contrasting colours. Needle felted thread scraps and wool scraps which have been shaped like slips.

Scrap of cotton fabric with stylised flowers. Design extended using white, red, yellow and blue perle cotton.

Couching a variety of cord and yarn on a layered surface of coloured voiles.

Beautiful sumptious panels created using Chenille Work Technique.

Beautiful sumptious panels created using Patchwork Technique.

Making my Mark

The creative process for me usually starts with cloth or fabric. Colour is my inspiration, it feeds my imagination. Once again the boundaries for change are limitless with the use of dyeing, printing, painting, machine and hand stitching techniques. The journey is absorbing, exciting, rewarding and educational.

My Textile Creations

I channel my passion for textiles and colour, and the need to be creative into making, high quality, practical and unique handmade creations. My designer label Designer Lily Textile Creations offers elegant, stylish and versatile Bags and Purses. To complement and accessories these bags and purses, is a range of beautifully made, functional Fabric Brooches and Bag Charms as well as attractive and creative Fabric Book Covers and Bookmarks. My frequently updated Blog documents my experiments and shares the knowledge I have gained.

This Bag is the personification of elegance. It combines an attractive printed fabric, be it delicate florals or geometric patterns, with a complementary plain fabric which provides balance and contrasts beautifully. A motif, cut from the printed fabric is hand or machine appliqued to the plain fabric, adding a decorative embellishment. Practicality meets style! Long handles make this bag easy to carry. An internal pocket and secure zip closure keeps treasures safe. What more does it need?

A stylish and practical accessory, this striking Tote Bag showcasing Selvage Work is a must have as it makes it a perfect choice for all occasions. Its roomy interior means you can toss in everything you need, which is a key feature. The slightly wider handles distribute the weight evenly, so you can carry your tote without feeling like you’re lugging around a bag of bricks. Plus, wider handles tend to stay put—no slipping off your shoulder mid-stride.

A unique bag constructed from strips of fabric pieced together to create a one off design. The complementary plain fabric enforces the boldness of the colour scheme with accents such as the handles, a flap closure and self covered button. Simply versatile.

An eye catching Bag ideal for an evening out or meeting up with friends for lunch. The Metallic Chain Handle makes for ease of carrying on the shoulder, the Kiss Clasp Closure secures the contents and acts as a handheld Handle.

My range of Fabric Book Covers / Covered Books make a great gift and add a touch of sophistication and individuality to any handbag or briefcase, beside a computer or bed side. It also makes a great gift for book lovers who may want to protect that special edition, or simply encase their favourite book. Decorative sewing techniques such as appliqué, embroidery, fabric piecing and quilting provide that designer touch and most are finished with an elastic loop closure, a covered button fastening, a ribbon page marker, a pen holder on the side or on the front.

Purse - Large Made using beautiful sumptious panels created using Chenille Work Technique.