The Basics:
My Story:
Why do you enjoy hand embroidery?
I enjoy how easy it is to become totally absorbed in the meditative rhythm of hand embroidery, allowing every stitch to be savoured. The hours fly by while my breathing rate slows down.
What’s the first thing you can remember stitching?
I was around 3 years old when my mother taught me how to work a running stitch on Aida using a big blunt bodkin needle and wool.
Then the next I remember is at age 9 I made felt Christmas presents for family. Egg cosies for the men, needlecase for the women. Each had their initial worked in Chain Stitch on the front. All of the needlecase were kept and used, and still exist today.
What are you currently working on?
I'm currently completing a Crewel Work design of pink flowers, which will be taught as a workshop or a series of short workshops.
For my own enjoyment, I am also working on some much larger projects. One is a Fine Whitework design based on my Cornish Surf design. The other is a stumpwork insect.
What is on your wishlist of stitching projects?
Bubbling away in the background is a canvas stitches project of a scene at Hampton Court Palace.
How long have you been teaching?
9 years
What types of embroidery do you like teaching?
Crewelwork/Freestyle Stitches
Canvaswork
Blackwork
Goldwork
Whitework
Stumpwork
What else can you tell us about yourself?
I live in the New Forest in the south of England with my husband, two black labrador dogs (Trevor and Frank) and one white and black rescue cat (Hercules).
My training at the Royal School of Needlework was based at Hampton Court Palace, which was such an amazing time and a priviledge to spend time stitching in rooms steeped with history.
Many years before I trained as an embroidery tutor with the Royal School of Needlework I worked in UK hand knitting industry as a hand knitwear designer, pattern writer and pattern checker. During that period I also wrote a couple of books, one of which was called The Step by Step Art of Ribbon Crafts.
Today, I still enjoy knitting socks, but as well as knitting socks, in my spare time I try to head out of our gate to go for a walk across the heathland. I also enjoy going to a local upholstery class where I love reshaping out of date furniture to give it a more modern look. I also have rekindled my joy of painting and meet up with a group of friends to paint with acrylic paints.
Teaching at the Stitch Sanctuary
What do you enjoy about teaching online?
Online teaching offers me the flexibility to schedule what would otherwise be an intensive workshop over several, shorter classes. This creates a more relaxed and enjoyable learning experience for the student. I love the fact that online classes make learning embroidery more accessible for many students who can stitch from the comfort of their own home.
What do you think are the drawbacks of online learning and how do you overcome them as a teacher?
One drawback of online learning is that the stitch size can be misjudged when seeing a demonstration on screen. To get over this during an online class, when I demonstrate how to work a stitch in a particular area of the project, I will also give a verbal description which includes stitch length measurement, needle angle, etc.
Another possible drawback of online learning is I cannot easily see how students are progressing with their projects. We all learn differently, and this is much easier to pick up on in person. To overcome this during an online class, I ask students to send me 'update' photos so that I can assist the learning experience by giving feedback. I also respect if the individual student wishes not to receive feedback.
What would you say to someone thinking of booking onto a Stitch Sanctuary online class for the first time?
To attend a live online class with Stitch Sanctuary is a great way to join like-minded people from across the globe and learn traditional hand embroidery, without the hassle of travel. The added benefit of shorter regular classes means learning a project over several shorter classes makes hand embroidery a more energising, relaxing and fun experience!
A Unique Gallery of Work
Below is a glimpse of Anita’s work—enjoy a virtual tour of her one-woman show, and let inspiration meet you at every turn.
