I always have lots of unfinished projects in various stages of development. A lot depends on the time of year, for instance, Christmas is coming up. This year my sister Bev Tully and I filmed a DVD, teaching wool embroidery. We are hoping to add a ribbon embroidery DVD to the collection in the near future.
*What craft trends have caught your eye lately?
There are more blending of both design and different branches of craft work, for example patchwork with embroidery and beading. Modern trends in embroidery tend to be slightly simpler in design, but with richer fabrics and threads and beads are being added to everything.
*How do you juggle family and business commitments?
It’s slightly easier to juggle home and business now my girls have left home although my son is about to embark on his VCE so the next two years could be a little trying. When I’m working on a project passionately, I tend to work every waking minute on it until I am happy with it. The girls always laughingly said I would take more notice of them if they had a rose embroidered on their foreheads!
*Whose work do you admire?
Lots …Yesterday’s women who created such fine examples of embroidery that still look wonderful hundreds of years later. And any woman of today who manages a home, a job, craftwork and still has the time, energy and inclination to do the housework!
*One invention you wish was yours? Why?
Halogen goose necked light. My best friend for seeing what I am sewing.
*Aside from sewing, what else do you like to do to pass time?
Children, gardening, cooking, definitely NOT housework.
*Is there any new fashions or tools you think will change/dominate the craft world in the near future?
Fashions in embroidery will continue to change with modern furnishing trends. At the moment simple is in and less is more. Classics never really go out, but colours change from time to time.
