Detail of choker: trailing tendrils from floral neckline

A recent commission for an embroidered choker has just flown across the Atlantic to its owner in the United States.

Inspired by the ‘Gilded’ choker featured in Embroidery Atelier, the client’s brief for this night time accessory was a floral bouquet picked in the moonlight: lavenders, blues, silvers…….and the creative stitching commenced. (See newsletter November 2022 for sketch/colour palette).

The choker uses machine stitching processes to creative decorative cords, lacy tendrils, machine applique flowers and petite flora in machine embroidery. All lavishly encrusted with Swarovski crystals and Miyuki seed beads.

A corner of Sue’s studio 2022.

Sue’s studio in the Cotswolds will be open during the Oxfordshire Artweeks.

The exhibition will feature a fusion of artwork and embroideries, including framed samples of embroidered lace, which will be for sale. If you could not make the studio book launch last year, a selection of the original works from the book will be on view.

Signed copies of Embroidery Atelier will be available. Come and enjoy the garden setting of Sue’s creative domain.

Note: an on-line gallery of exhibits at suerangeley.co.uk is planned for those unable to visit the studio during May.

May dates: Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Tuesday 16, Thursday 18, Saturday 20
Times: 12 – 5pm
Parking: Co-op Store & some limited parking nearby.

An event to coincide with the Chipping Campden Literary Festival. Sue will be exhibiting a selection of embroidered works from Embroidery Atelier – Visions & Passions in the museum.

Discover the inspirations and unique craft techniques at the ‘Meet the Artist’ day, Sue shares studio secrets from her portfolio display of original embroidered samples.

Court Barn Museum tells the story of the arts and crafts in Chipping Campden, which began in 1902 when C.R.Ashbee and the Guild of Handicrafts moved there from London.

Signed copies of Embroidered Originals (2010) and Embroidery Atelier (2022) will be on sale in the museum.

www.suerangeley.co.uk   www.courtbarn.org.uk

Entry: £7 (museum & ‘Meet the Artist’ 24 May) Art Fund members half price, and under 25s free.

In contrast to the delicate fine stitching for the floral choker (see commission image) I am picking up the threads of an idea first explored in Embroidery Atelier – Visions & Passions for the Sissinghurst garden collection.

The mood board illustrated selects humble garden weeds to inspire both sketch and stitch; the design sheet acts as a reference for image, colour and texture, energizing the spirit of the stitched surfaces.

Design theme: Garden weeds influence decorative embellishments for fabric.

Colour story: Earth tones, drab khaki shades, moss greens, and acidic flashes of yellow.

Texture: Frayed, fringed, distressed surfaces; lacy layers of creeping foliage; three-dimensional fabric enhancement.

Materials: Linens, fine canvas, scrim, muslin; vintage linen twist threads; perle threads for couching; machine-embroidery cottons for machine lace; water-soluble stabilisers.

Techniques: Embellisher machine surfaces (needle-punching); machine-lace with thicker threads; stitched fringes; frayed fabric flora.

It is nearly a year since Embroidery Atelier – Visions & Passions was published, a busy time sending books around the world.

The January issue of Threads,a popular American magazine, brought a very enthusiastic response from readers for the book.

Read Susan Khalje’s review in Threads.

Signed copies of my book are still available from www.suerangeley.co.uk or you are welcome to collect from my open studio in May.

For textile groups wishing to order a few copies together, the courier costs are more favourable, please contact Sue for more details.

With best wishes

Sue