Angharad Jones

As an artist, I like to experiment with a lot of different mediums including ceramics, painting, and printmaking, but the skill I’ve really been drawn to is embroidery. I’m not an expert and I’m learning constantly but I enjoy the process of it. I have no formal training when it comes to sewing so I enjoy learning through experimentation.

Q&A

What craft do you work with?

I’m an embroiderer who likes to use both traditional embroidery and Needle Punch embroidery. From a young age I was encouraged to learn how to sew at a young age as being able to sew is not just a great hobby but also a useful life skill. From that, I was given a plastic grid (the kind often used in 3D Cross stitch projects) and a plastic needle. From that, I could practice sewing on my own or I would be given a simple design or stitch to practice, then id bring it back to my grandma or mum for inspection

What inspires you to work with this craft?

Embroidery has historically been looked down upon as a hobby instead of an artform despite the fact that It’s a skill that takes patience and practice like any other art form. I would like to help bring embroidery into the public eye as both a useful skill and a type of art.

How do you start your creative process?

It starts with a design, usually ill sketch some ideas out and fit things together. Then when I’ve got a design, I’m really happy with I’ll create a larger cleaner version which I’ll then trace on paper so I have a copy. I then paint this initial Sketch with Gouache as I find it can give me a pretty good idea of what to expect while being easy to work with. Once the designs and colors are chosen, I’ll then place my design onto my fabric using a lightbox and a water-soluble fabric pen. I like Calico as it’s strong, it has little flexibility and has an easy-to-work-with and clear grid. I’ve also worked with a variety of materials from old clothes to upholstery fabric. A stiff non flexible fabric is best. After that I get sewing, I often just start where I fancy but sometimes it’s easier to start the object that is supposed to be further away, even if things are flat, it can give the illusion of layering.

How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?

I don’t currently have a Studio so often I end up just sewing on the couch or in bed, somewhere comfortable.

Are there new techniques you would like to try?

I’d really like to try using more translucent fabrics, as well as learning how to dye my own embroidery floss, I’m also starting to think about how I can bring my work into sculpture.