Greta Fitchett Creative Textiles
TEACHER  ▪  SPEAKER  ▪  QUILT JUDGE

Dayschools: classes in appliqué, patchwork, quiltmaking and machine embroidery.

I am based in the East Midlands of the UK. I can be contacted on 01332 661562. Alternatively, please e-mail me at greta@heatherleadesign.com giving your name, address, e-mail address and contact telephone number.

MEMBERSHIPS
Quilters Guild of the British Isles including Contemporary Quilters
Living Threads Group
Embroiderers Guild, plus associate member of the Embroidery Development Scheme
Registered with the Crafts Council
Registered with East Midlands Arts Index
Registered with CIN (Creative Industries Network), Derby

(please note that I am registered at all of the above in my own name, not Heatherlea Design)

ARTISTS STATEMENT
I draw my inspiration from a number of sources, and ideas are recorded and developed in a series of sketchbooks. I work with mixed media, and favourites include drawing with ink, which enables me to explore shapes, and recording colour with pastel and paint. My camera is also an essential sketching tool, which I use to explore subjects in detail. The photographs become an important ingredient of my sketchbooks. These ideas are then valuable sources of inspiration in my textile work.

I am attracted to both colour and pattern and these are generally found in my sources of inspiration. Current themes include South America, both ancient art forms as well as indigenous decorative textiles and costume. Pattern is found in many cultures, often with it’s own language. Weaving and embroidery, as well as tiling and architectural detail have been explored, in locations such as Venice, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco. Modern materials used for garden walls, street paving and manhole covers offer inspirational patterns. Seaside beach huts provide ideas for geometric designs, and fishing boats, different the world over, offer exciting colour schemes. And for serenity, the summer flower garden, alive with vibrant colour, interesting shapes and continuing change as the season progresses.

I use many techniques in my stitched textiles, usually combining several in one piece. These skills are based on traditional techniques, but developed into contemporary styles and often worked by machine. Techniques include patchwork and quilting, appliqué, free machine embroidery, hand embroidery and fabric painting. Colour is a strong feature of my work, and I hand dye many of the fabrics, giving them a unique uneven colouration. Adding as much colour as I can with appliqué and stitchery makes each piece bright and vibrant.