Stitch Business
An anniversary is always cause for celebration and last week Tracy A. Franklin celebrated eleven years of working as freelance embroidery artist and teacher.
Tracy trained at the Royal School of needlework (RSN) and has for the past eleven years worked out of her studio in Durham City. As well as working commissions, she runs the RSN Certificate and Diploma courses from her studio, leads the Durham Cathedral Broderers and runs Stitchbusiness an independent stitch school with fellow textile artist Julia Triston. And I thought I was busy!
As well as her many teaching commitments, Tracy's work has featured in several books and she has authored three books of her own; Contemporary Whitework, co-authored with Nicola Jarvis and one of my favourites; New Ideas in Goldwork. What I love about this particular goldwork book is the clear and very easy to follow introduction to all the basics as well as the simplicity in the way it presents goldwork techniques. The addition of the many examples of creative uses of metal threads are refreshing and always makes me smile when I look at them. Who says you can't have purls sticking up in the air like wild woolly hair or plate crackling across the surface? If you would like to have a go at creative goldwork, you can find a small sampler designed by Tracy for Stitch magazine here.
Her latest book; Crewelwork by Tracy A Franklin has just been released. I have not had the opportunity to see it yet, but after reading the review on The Unbroken thread I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
As well as her many teaching commitments, Tracy's work has featured in several books and she has authored three books of her own; Contemporary Whitework, co-authored with Nicola Jarvis and one of my favourites; New Ideas in Goldwork. What I love about this particular goldwork book is the clear and very easy to follow introduction to all the basics as well as the simplicity in the way it presents goldwork techniques. The addition of the many examples of creative uses of metal threads are refreshing and always makes me smile when I look at them. Who says you can't have purls sticking up in the air like wild woolly hair or plate crackling across the surface? If you would like to have a go at creative goldwork, you can find a small sampler designed by Tracy for Stitch magazine here.
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| Crewelwork by Tracy A Franklin image from book review on The Unbroken Thread |
One of the things I truly admire about Tracy's work is her amazing ability to seamlessly bridge embroidery techniques steeped in tradition with contemporary designs. You cannot help but be in awe of the quality of workman ship and ingenuity in her pieces. I, for one will certainly be keeping an eye on Tracy's blog and looking forward to see just what happens next...and who know, perhaps some day I can enjoy a workshop Stitchbusiness - that would be so much fun.
Anna x
That spread from the Crewelwork book looks fabulous - I might just have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anna - much appreciated! Will be in touch - busy week for me - back log of emails - but will speak soon. Tracy x p.s. Liking your blog . . .
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