O level needlework 1974
From the age of one I watched my mothers best friend sew antimacassars and head rests for her sofas and chairs.
Being a cook in the hospital she also produced delicious cakes and meringues every time we went for tea.
She became my idealised version of a mother, while mine worked forty hours a week part nights as a nurse. Needlework and dress became one of my o level subjects. My final piece, which i still have today was a circular patterned design with applique and embroidered inter locking circles. not much has changed today. On requesting to proceed from o level to A level needlework. I was told "this is not a proper career" and that I should pursue the sciences, a miscalculation of opinion that would effect my whole life and lead me o where I am today.
On leaving school I joined the Embroiderers Guild, Hertfordshire branch. I gained skills and went on to Co lead the Young Textile group, which was great fun and allowed for my creativity, spontaneity and would develop the skills I would use later. The passion, drive and enthusiasm of my fellow embroiderers always researching, developing and work new embroideries was inspiring. Nothing was too much trouble with embroidery. I watched on in amazement and learnt a lot from them and expanded my own work and designs. I especially remember Peggy Field and Shirlie Tuttle, their obituaries in the Embroiders Guild magazine was a stark reminder of lost skills and treasures. In retrospect I realise my attatchment to embroidery was to replace the females who had gone from my life.