I'm About...

  I am a qualified Fabric/Textiles Technology Teacher, working in the NZ Education Curriculum, Years 7 to 13.  My training includes: Design Fashion, Garment Construction, Pattern Cutting and Teacher Training. 

Pattern Cutting is a particular passion, because it is a wonderful process, which includes both technical and creative skills. The conceptual design is made 2 dimensional in flat pattern form, then put together in fabric to become a 3 dimensional garment.

All the resources I work with, needle, sewing machine, cloth, thread, paper, pencil, set-square, plus what I do with them, I call 'my craft'. Working with my craft is the main way I express myself in life.  I draw and write with needle, thread and fabric.  It takes time, precision and endurance. 

I am a  21st Century Needlewoman!

Expression is the driving force of my craft.  I don’t want to get hung up on impressing others, or striving to be noticed.  I just want to express, with integrity, my thoughts, feelings, desires and understandings of life, via my craft.

To keep up with activities and experiences that will work my craft, I maintain a keen interest in a variety of creative stimuli - books, magazines, films, theatre, drama, dance, art... anything that makes me think “Now, that’s exciting!”

      Relevant Aspects of  my C.V.

·        Diploma of Design (Fashion)

·        Diploma of Teaching

·        Advanced Trade Certificate Apparel Manufacturing (NZQA recognised )

·        Trade Certificate Apparel Manufacturing

·        Textiles Studies and Clothing Certificates

Click HERE for an interesting interview with Francesco Colucci, who is a window display artist for the Traid thrift shops across London. I include it here, because this artist is an example of someone creatively inspired by many of the stimuli I listed above. For Francesco, it includes Pina Bausch dancers, Leigh Bowery and, what really attracted my attention, inspiration via Danilo Donati, who designed many of the wonderfully textured costumes in Pier Paolo Pasolini films. I believe I can see that inspiration in his fabulous crotchet blankets display, which is one of the images presented in the interview.

Click HERE for a great interview with Louisa Owen Sonstroem, 'Patternmaking in Public Places'. I relate to her love of patternmaking and I love her joy, enthusiasm and encouragement, plus her proaction...going into public places with the craft, writing a book, working with other patternmakers...giving it a great go! Impressive.