Aislish Henderson
Embroidery and textiles
Ailish Henderson is a Narrative artist and writer, who quietly questions the impact life’s events have on our own individual story lines. Using a wealth of inspiration, including a specific interest in familial contexts, she creates visual moments of matter.
Having a strong education within the Fine Arts, she couples this with her later Textile and Mixed Media experience. In a threefold marriage, the plaits this together during her teaching and lecture sessions. In 2024 she published her first title Narrative Textiles: Tell Your Story in Mixed Media and Stitch (Batsford, 2024). She writes for FAIRE, Embroidery, Selvedge amongst others. She has had four solo exhibitions to date as well as traveling overseas to exhibit her work. In 2025 she began her studies again, an MSc in Narrative Futures within the arts to further strengthen her own practice.
Instagram – @ailish_h
Ruth Hughes
Mixed Media Embroidery
Ruth brings years of embroidery teaching experience, specialising in hand embroidery foundations, texture, and stitch mastery. She provides clear demonstrations and supports all skill levels to develop confidence and precision in their work.
Instagram – @wildfloss
Anne Kelly
Embroidery and textiles
Exploring Creativity Through Textile Art
Anne Kelly is a celebrated textile artist whose works are a testament to the transformative power of fabric and thread. Her creations embody a unique blending of traditional techniques with contemporary storytelling, providing a visual narrative that resonates deeply with viewers. Rooted in the rich history of textile production, Anne’s approach marries craftsmanship with a personal and emotive exploration of themes.
Artistic Vision
Anne Kelly’s artistic practice is grounded in the belief that textiles can serve as both personal and collective memory. Her works often reflect themes of community, history, and the natural world, creating a tapestry of experiences that invite reflection. By repurposing discarded and vintage fabrics, she imbues her pieces with a sense of nostalgia and sustainability, creating artworks that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious.
Techniques and Materials
Anne employs a wide range of textile methods in her art, including embroidery, applique, layering, and mixed media. Her love for detail is evident in the intricate stitching that defines her pieces, offering an intimate connection to the tactile nature of her craft. Each thread becomes a tool for storytelling, weaving narratives that explore identity, culture, and heritage.
Sources of Inspiration
Nature and the environment play a significant role in Anne’s work. She often incorporates motifs of flora and fauna, creating a dialogue between the organic world and the artistry of human hands. Additionally, her travels and exposure to various cultures significantly influence her creations, allowing her to imbue her pieces with a wealth of textures and patterns that celebrate diversity and interconnectedness.
Community Engagement
Anne Kelly is also dedicated to fostering a sense of community through her work. She frequently collaborates with schools, arts organisations, and other artists, hosting workshops and exhibitions that encourage creativity and connection. Through these collaborations, she shares her passion for textiles, inspiring others to explore the medium and express their own stories.
Instagram – @annekellytextiles
Victoria Merness
Embroidery and Textiles
Victoria Merness is an artist and teacher who is fine art trained, having an MA in Contemporary Fine Art, and a PGCE Masters in the teaching of Art & Creative Practice.
Victoria first started off her creative life at degree level as a painter and paper crafter, but since 2020 has incorporated embroidery into her work. Victoria has now completely fallen in love with stitch, due to its therapeutic nature and aesthetic appeal.
In Victoria’s workshops, the emphasis is on enjoyment over perfection, and time and space are allowed to be able to make the work your own, rather than everyone producing the same piece.
Victoria’s business name is Little House of Victoria, for which she designs her own branded embroidery kits and accessories, and you might have spotted her on the TV craft channel, Sewing Street.
Victoria can quite often be found in her studio, which is housed in an old cotton mill, overlooking the canal in Mossley, near Saddleworth.
Instagram – @littlehouseofvictoria
Jenny Smith
quilting and dressmaking
Jenni Smith is a UK-based pattern designer and author of the book Quilting with Liberty Fabrics. Her online video tutorials are loved by makers worldwide. She is very passionate about getting people started on their dressmaking and quilting journeys with her fun, energetic and down-to- earth approach to teaching.
Her acclaimed book Quilting with Liberty Fabrics showcases 15 quilts celebrating Liberty London’s history, each representing different decades. She also offers dressmaking patterns like the Hepworth Apron and Riley Top & Dress, supported by comprehensive online tutorials.
Collaborating with Kay Walsh as “Jenni and Kay Create,” they produced Menopause Makes, combining crafting with personal storytelling. Her work emphasises accessibility and community engagement, inspiring confidence in makers of all skill levels through innovative designs and supportive teaching approaches.
Instagram – @jenniandkaycreate
Kay Walsh
Watercolour
Kay Walsh is a UK-based textile artist and educator with over 30 years’ sewing and quilting experience. Alongside Jenni Smith, she co-authored Menopause Makes, featuring 10 beginner-friendly projects designed to alleviate symptoms like insomnia and night sweats.
Each project thoughtfully pairs with specific symptoms, providing practical solutions and self-care opportunities. The book includes clear instructions, vibrant illustrations, and pull-out pattern sheets for all skill levels.
Beyond authorship, Kay leads workshops focusing on therapeutic crafting benefits. She and Jenni create “crafty travelogues” sharing international crafting insights. Kay’s work emphasizes inclusivity and well-being, creating supportive environments where women explore creativity and find solace through sewing.