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Cassandra was born in Santa Barbara, California in 1985, and has been creating art since she was old enough to pick up a crayon and put it to paper. She started her self-taught embroidery journey in January 2020 with a bag of vintage DMC thread and quickly became passionate about the mindful work of creating her landscape hoops, developing her style over the following months during the pandemic lockdown. Her work has since been reviewed on Colossal, My Modern Met, and School of Stitched Textiles. She has been featured in print in Love Embroidery Magazine, The Montecito Journal, and Studio Visit Book, Vol. 3 by Arts To Hearts Project. She also taught an online workshop for members of The Stitch Club on TextileArtist.org and presented live with Creative Spark Online Learning. Her work was selected to be included in the group exhibition, Open Call: All Media 2025, at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo, California. And, most recently, she wrote her first book, Richly Stitched Landscape Embroidery: Mastering Thread Painted Scenes, scheduled to be released on April 28, 2026. Cassandra lives and works in Camarillo, California, where she continues to produce original art pieces, and shares her love of hand embroidery on her social pages. School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/ Cassandra's Links: - Website: https://www.cassandramdias.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassiemdias - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassiemdias - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassiemdias - Pre-Order Richly Stitched Landscape Embroidery: a...

Kandy G Lopez was born in 1985 in  New Jersey, USA and is a multidisciplinary artist exploring cultural identity, representation, and power through fiber art, portraiture, painting, and mixed media. Born to Dominican parents, she draws from her experience navigating multiple cultural landscapes. Lopez holds a BFA in Painting and a BS in Marketing/Management from the University of South Florida and earned her MFA in Painting from Florida Atlantic University in 2014. Her background in both fine arts and business informs her meticulous material investigations and strategic engagement with art institutions. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and Arts at Nova Southeastern University, where she integrates critical theory with hands-on material practice. Website: kandyglopez.com  Instagram: @kandyglopez School of Stitched Textiles 

Carolyn Forster is a quilt designer, teacher and author from Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Since self-publishing her first book, “Quilting On the Go” in 2007 Carolyn has gone on to write many more patchwork and quilting books with Search Press in the UK and Landauer Publishing in the USA. She has been a regular project contributor for magazines in the UK, including Todays Quilter, as well as abroad. Carolyn's quilts are an eclectic mix of fabrics, a posh way to say she makes scrappy quilts, and they always have their roots from some point in the past, being inspired by quilt makers who have gone before us. Accessibility is Carolyn’s key philosophy with her teaching, demystifying techniques to allow every quilter to discover their own voice. Carolyn combines her passion for travel and teaching, having been a regular teacher at Quilt Festival Houston, as well as for The American Quilters Society. She continues teaching in the UK exploring new areas and meeting new quilters both at home and abroad and is a textiles tutor for the craft holiday company Stitchtopia. Carolyn's website is https://www.carolynforster.co.uk/ Instagram is @quiltingonthego School of Stitched Textiles www.sofst.org

Robert Ossant Author and fashion historian Robert Ossant hails from Lancashire and moved to London to work in newspapers, getting his big break at the Daily Mirror. Feeling disillusioned with tabloid life, he joined London embroidery house Hand & Lock as their communications manager in 2013. It was at the 258-year-old atelier that he became close friends with co-author Jessica Jane Pile and developed his love and passion for embroidery. Regularly inspired by the designers, artisans, makers and artists he met, Robert enrolled at night school and completed a Master’s in the History of Art. Now, equipped with cultural studies insights and academic frameworks, he applies the tools of art analysis and interpretation to all areas of the fashion industry. From haute couture catwalk show analysis to researching Queen Victoria’s wardrobe, his interests and expertise span both contemporary and historical style. Now based in France, his freelance work has appeared in Vogue, Marie Claire, Selvedge, The Independent, Forbes and Newsweek, and he has worked with international fashion brands including McQueen, Saint Laurent, Gucci and Balenciaga. He has also spoken at the World Embroidery Conference, the Chelsea Flower Show and the National Gallery on embroidery as a vital expression of art. Whether researching, writing or talking about embroidery, he brings personality, humour and intellectual rigour - making an often-overlooked artistic expression feel vivid, relevant and alive. Jessica Jane Pile Born in Kent, Jessica Jane Pile is an author, designer, educator and technical embroidery specialist based in London. After graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a degree in Costume construction for Performance, she joined historic embroidery house Hand & Lock. Within a few years, she was appointed Managing Director, becoming the youngest person to hold that role. During her twelve-year tenure, she relaunched the embroidery school, expanded the annual embroidery competition into a globally recognised art and fashion event, and managed complex commissions for major fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior and Vivienne Westwood. She also worked on large-scale, high-profile embroidery projects for the 2012 London Olympics, The Diamond Jubilee and Kings Coronation. In 2018 while working at Hand & Lock, she authored Fashion Embroidery: Embroidery Techniques and Inspiration for Haute‑Couture Clothing, drawing on her deep knowledge of high-level embroidery. The book’s success led to a demand for a follow-up, and Jess approached Robert to bring ‘The Art of Couture Embroidery’ to life  In 2023, she left Hand & Lock to found Norica Studios, an embroidery studio focusing on bespoke embroidery for interior design and fashion. The business she runs with her sister Eleanor, and they are currently developing a new product range launching in 2026.   Whether leading projects, teaching or writing, she combines technical skill with a calm, confident tone that has made her a trusted voice in contemporary embroidery. Photographer credit is: Michael Barrow https://www.instagram.com/michaelbarrowphoto/ Robert and Jess's new book, The Art of Couture Embroidery, is available from 6th November in the UK a href="https://amzn.to/3J9UtXc "...

Fascinated by textiles and the stories they can tell, Hannah Lamb’s practice is a personal dialogue with materials. From her studio in Bingley, West Yorkshire she experiments with layers of imagery and surface. Print, stitch and deconstruction techniques are carefully combined to create both sculptural installation works and smaller, more intimate pieces. She is particularly known for her use of cyanotype printing to create shadow-like prints on textiles. Hannah’s interest in archives, collections and the heritage of textile manufacturing in the North of England has led to a number of collaborations and commissions, including ‘Lasting Impressions’ (2016 & 2017) with Claire Wellesley-Smith at Salts Mill, ‘Fragment of a Dress’, commissioned by the Brontë Parsonage Museum and ‘A Cloth for The Lost Mills’ (2024) for 509 Arts with Hannah Robson. She has a love of historical buildings and interesting industrial spaces and enjoys situating her work in non-gallery settings. Hannah exhibits widely and is an exhibiting member of the 62 Group of Textile Artists. Alongside her work as an exhibiting artist, Hannah is a lecturer and author. She teaches the Foundation Degree and BA Textiles Practice programmes at Bradford School of Art, Bradford College. She has also delivered talks, workshops and masterclasses for Gawthorpe Hall, FibreArts Australia, Harewood House, Hope & Elvis, DeMontfort University, The Textile Study Group and The 62 Group. Her first solo book Poetic Cloth: Creating Meaning in Textile Art was published by Batsford in 2019. Her second book Unfolding Cloth: Inspiration from Historical Textiles is released 11 September 2025. Hannah's website www.hannahlamb.co.uk School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/

Emily Jo Gibbs has established an international reputation for her delicate silk organza appliqué. In her current practice Emily creates hand-stitched Portraits and Still Lifes with a graphic quality, observing the quiet beauty of the overlooked. Gently advocating The Value of Making by creating work that celebrates people who make things; their skill, dexterity, material knowledge and their creative problem solving. Emily first started working to this theme for Collect Open in 2018  She makes work to commission and for exhibitions and projects. She is currently Artist in residence at Trinity Buoy Wharf. She is a member of the 62 Group of Textile Artists, Contemporary Applied Arts and the Artworkers Guild.  Between 1993 and 2006 Emily made luxury handbags. Works from this period are in The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Crafts Council Collection and The Museum of Fine Art, Houston. instagram and Facebook are @emilyjogibbs Photo credit Lol Johnson School of Stitched Textiles www.sofst.org

Fleur Woods is a Contemporary Fibre Artist, Author, Teacher and Mentor based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Inspired by nature and drawn to fibres and textiles Fleur has developed her 'stitched paintings' through a decade of experimentation in her studio. Largely self taught she creates intuitively and her works evolve organically, often combining concept development and research as the pieces evolve. Stitch became a large part of her practice, making marks with thread has overtaken brush work due to the beautiful texture and dimension it brought to her pieces. A collector of all things vintage and pre-loved many textiles and found objects are repurposed into her maximalist works. The Untamed Thread, Fleur's popular book is part journey from corporate world to full time artist and part creative inspiration and guide to the art of living creatively and developing an art practice. When she's not in the studio creating originals, dying wools & textiles or creating other projects, Fleur can be found on the road teaching in person workshops / online gathering with her Joyful Embroidery students or enjoying creative conversation mentoring sessions.  https://www.fleurwoodsart.com/ https://www.instagram.com/fleurwoodsart/ https://www.facebook.com/fleurwoodsart www.sofst.org

With a keen observation of nature, Emma Rosa uses multi-disciplinary techniques and mixed media to create botanical studies from fabric and thread. Marrying a foundation in fine art and a past career in dressmaking, she utilises machine embroidery with traditional Japanese flower making techniques, creating sensitive and intricate detailing.  Through closely studying flora, she aims to capture the essence of a plant, or indeed a particular stage of growth such as the fleeting moments of efflorescence and senescence. Seeking out lesser-known species and native wild plants while focusing on distinctive botanical elements, allow her to pursue a unique sculptural presence. Emma is constantly pushing the boundaries of fabric and thread utilisation to acquire a desired effect She is drawn to antiquated botanical illustrations, how they show the whole plant – every element is important, not just the flower that most regard as the focus of beauty - where science and art meet. Nestled in the heart of rural Devon, the turning of the seasons, conservation and folklore are the threads that weave through her work. Links Emma Rosa Textiles Website School of Stitched Textiles Watch with Captions

Ellie is a textile artist working from her garden studio in Brighton. Surrounded by the South Downs, Sussex coastline and wild plants discovered on walks, she draws inspiration from colours, contours and the ever-changing atmosphere of the natural world. Ellie's artworks reflect this connection, blending abstract painting with delicate textile techniques to create pieces that evoke a sense of place and season. Ellie's paintings often feature unique imprints taken from seed heads and grasses, preserving their organic forms in fabric. Drawing into these compositions with free-motion embroidery, appliqué, and hand stitching, utilizing techniques she honed during a decade as a fashion designer. At the heart of her practice is a passion for creating and teaching. Through the Flourish Textile Art Hub, an online platform she founded in 2021, Ellie shares a wide variety of textile techniques, inspiring creativity. Recently she has introduced guest tutors, expanding the Art Hubs offerings and fostered a vibrant, supportive community. Alongside this, she continues to deliver in-person workshops and exhibit her work nationally. School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/ Art website: www.elliehipkinart.com online courses: https://flourish-hub.com/ Join the community: Free Facebook group Instagram : @elliehipkinartist

Kelley graduated from the Royal School of Needlework Apprenticeship in 2005 after many years in Management Development Training. She went on to establish the very successful Bristol branch of the RSN in 2011 and was involved in creating the replacement for the Apprenticeship, known as the Future Tutors Programme. In 2019 she relocated to London to run the course at Hampton Court Palace. One year later she shepherded the School’s tutors through the shift to online teaching during the Covid pandemic and found a new outlet for her embroidery, teaching and IT passions. In 2021 she returned to self-employment and has been teaching online ever since, utilising a wide variety of digital technology to bring the classroom into students’ homes around the world.  Kelley is a popular teacher and thanks to a background including project management, IT and training, her courses are known for their high level of content, student support and overall quality. Students return year after year and frequently ask ‘what’s next?’ The online community has allowed students from across the globe to meet and make friends with similar interests and she is very proud to be part of this. Her vision is to foster lifelong creativity through the art of embroidery. Facebook: Kelley Jane Stitches Instagram: @kelleyjanestitches Website: www.kelleyjanestitches.com RSN Tutor work exhibition https://www.instagram.com/handstitchedheritage School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/

Amanda Cobbett is an award-winning textile artist with over 25 years’ experience. Inspired by nature in all its forms, Amanda’s 3-dimensional, papier-mâché and free machine-embroidered sculptures are created from her studio in the Surrey Hills. She scours the understorey of the forest floor seeking its hidden treasures. Over time, she has honed an inherent ability to locate intriguing flora in the most unexpected of places. Amanda’s 3 Dimensional embroidered sculptures appear to float in their Perspex cases and have the feeling of just being collected from the forest for display, very much a modern version of a Victorian plant hunter’s specimen case. ‘I like to think that my pieces could trick the eye into thinking that what you are seeing might be real. I am also passionate about highlighting and preserving specimens from the forest that could, without care, become red listed. If we are not aware that they exist, how will we know when they have disappeared? By recreating an embroidered sculpture of a natural object and displaying it in a case in a gallery, it brings our natural world into another dimension, we then might look for that specimen in nature, and care about its existence. Amanda grid references her original finds and offers that information with the embroidered artwork, further giving it an authenticity. School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/ Amanda Cobbett's website https://www.amandacobbett.com/

Karen L. Miller, owner of Redbird Quilt Co., is Master Educator for Aurifil USA, an Aurifilosopher, author, and passionate advocate for free motion quilting. Her quilting journey began in 2007 when her sister invited her to join a simple block of the month program. Karen quickly fell in love with hand appliqué and free motion machine quilting, sparking a passion that would shape her career. As Karen's enthusiasm for learning and developing her quilting skills grew, she naturally gravitated towards Aurifil's 100% Egyptian cotton threads. The exceptional quality and impressive range of weights and colors captivated her, aligning perfectly with her creative vision. In 2019, Karen's expertise and passion led her to join forces with Milan-based Aurifil, becoming their Master Educator and launching the innovative thread education program called "Aurifilosophy". Her work with Aurifil thread focuses on educating quilters about how these high-quality threads can elevate projects from simply finished to artistically extraordinary, unlocking new creative possibilities. Karen's versatility shines through her love for both hand and machine creations. She continually designs and experiments with all weights of Aurifil thread, generously sharing her knowledge and experience with the broader quilting community. Her commitment to education and inspiration has made her a respected figure in the quilting world, known for her ability to instill confidence and creativity in quilters of all skill levels. School of Stitched Textiles: View her work here https://www.sofst.org/textile-talk-with-karen-miller/ Aurifil Website: https://aurifil.com/ Aurifil USA Shopping: https://shopaurifil.com/ Aurifil Blog:https://auribuzz.com/ Aurifil Thread Education Program: https://www.aurifil.com/aurifilosophy Aurifil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurifilthread/ Aurifil Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aurifil.quilt.thread Aurifil Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aurifil/ Aurifil Newsletter Subscription: http://eepurl.com/M6vOn Aurifil Resources: Thread Reference and Product Guides can be found here: https://www.aurifil.com/auriworld/resources

Gail is a Canadian who resided for 20 years in Britain, until returning t the US in 1995. She moved to Britain in 1976 with her American husband and family. She studied art in Canada, England and Scotland. She completed both parts 1 and 2 (Diploma) of the City & Guilds Design and Embroidery course, achieving a distinction in both parts. She was awarded the Senior Award of Licentiateship (LCGI)by the City & Guilds Institute. Gail has previously taught City & Guilds Embroidery courses and was for many years, a City & Guilds External Verifier for various colleges in the UK. She has authored five books in Embroidery. Since moving to the US she has directed and taught at the Arts Centre she founded in Washington State - Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts. She has taught Certificate and Diploma Courses in Design and Embroidery to hundreds of students from all parts of North America. She says that living and working in the UK was the single most important contributor to her labour of love as a designer and embroiderer that continues to lead her on a lifelong journey of discovery! Links School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/ Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts Blog: https://gailcreativestudies.wordpress.com/ Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gailcreativestudies Website: https://gailcreativestudies.com

Lorraine has been creating with fiber since she was a young girl. As a child she would while away the hours sewing, crocheting, and working with crewelwork. She learned to sew garments at the side of her mother and paternal grandmother who were both gifted seamstress’.  She is a self-taught artist. She began quilting in 1997 and immediately was intrigued with the design elements of the quilt. Thus, began her exploration of color, repetition, design, and texture. Soon Lorraine began to experiment with a more contemporary approach to textiles and developed her own artistic voice. Her creative roots are firmly embedded in the traditional needle arts and this is reflected in her current body of work. Inspired by her Faith, her travels and the natural world, she employs layers of both hand and machine stitches together with various surface design techniques. This unique approach allows her to successfully captures the depth, color, contrast, and texture of her subject matter.  Since 1993 Lorraine had lived in the Ithaca area of the Finger Lakes Region in Central New York until 2019 when she relocated to The Villages, Florida. She recently retired from a career in nursing. She enjoys the support of her husband, their children, and grandchildren.  Lorraine is an exhibiting textile artist and has won several awards for her fiber art. She owns and operates The Tangled Thread, a longarm quilting business; gives presentations and teaches classes focused on mixed media and stitched art. These days, she dedicates her energy to facilitating a group of twenty-five local artists, who meet twice a month to share and explore their common love for textile art. Lorraine also enjoys writing poetry and painting with acrylics and watercolor. School of Stitched Textiles MP Programme https://www.sofst.org/courses/masters-courses/ Contact Information: Lorraine Benjamin web https://lorrainebenjamin.com/ email [email protected] facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lorisue28 instagram https://www.instagram.com/lorisue28/

Lucy Martin from Hand and Lock grew up in the Peak District, where her love for stitching began as she helped her mother make wedding dresses from age three. Her talent led her to work with renowned brands like Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Catherine Walker. A classically trained embroiderer with a first-class honours degree, Lucy joined Hand & Lock in 2022 as Head of Education. Since then, she has transformed the school into an internationally recognized centre for contemporary embroidery, building a supportive community for students of all levels. Lucy’s role involves designing and implementing a dynamic educational program, organizing diverse classes with guest tutors, and collaborating with venues like The National Portrait Gallery and Kew Gardens for private courses. Her responsibilities also include hosting embroidery retreats worldwide, sharing her passion and dedication to preserving this craft. Currently, Lucy is teaching the Hand & Lock Diploma in Contemporary Embroidery, a rigorous program combining traditional and modern techniques. Her goal is to guide students in mastering technical skills while encouraging them to find their artistic voices, fostering the evolution of contemporary embroidery. Lucy’s commitment ensures that each student’s learning experience is challenging and couture-focused, leaving a lasting impact on the craft’s future. Links:  @handandlocklondon  https://www.handembroideryshop.com/   @lucymartinembroidery https://lucymartinembroidery.com/ School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/