About Mellymade Designs
I love to share my textile knowledge with you.
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I currently teach textile and mixed media workshops for all abilities and give talks to groups all around the country and beyond.
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I can come to your group to talk about:
My Textile Journey So Far...
This is a talk about the journey through my life’s work as a textile artist – from where I started, to my practice today. This autobiographical talk charts my quest to keep textile traditions alive, including works by my mother that were my first inspiration, key pieces I have created throughout my career and projects I am currently developing.
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Indian Textile Adventures...
A journey into the places I have visited, the textiles and different techniques such as block printing, Indian embroideries , painting and materials used.
I am a British Textile Artist and Tutor with over 45 years of experience working with textiles.​
My greatest inspiration has been my mum, an incredibly talented artist whose beautiful work first sparked my passion for textile art.
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For the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of teaching textile and mixed media workshops for both beginners and advanced learners. I love sharing my knowledge while constantly exploring new techniques myself.
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In 2015, I took a leap of faith and opened my own studio in Cambridgeshire—a decision that changed everything. Since then, I have traveled extensively, teaching a variety of sewing and craft workshops. I’m fortunate to collaborate with Cambridge Community Art, Creative Fenland, Cambridge Art Makers, and North Cambridgeshire Training Centre (West Suffolk College).
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I have a deep passion for floral and fauna-inspired designs, as well as traditional arts and crafts, particularly Indian Block Printing and Indian Embroidery. Textiles and stitching have taken me to places I never imagined visiting, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.
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One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been becoming a tour leader with Aahilya Holidays, which allowed me to visit India twice in 2019 and again in 2022. These experiences have had a profound influence on my work, and I now incorporate many of the techniques and inspirations I discovered into my designs. I am thrilled to be co-leading another tour in March 2025, exploring The Golden Triangle alongside the talented textile artist Alexandra Waylett.
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Beyond my own creative practice, I have been actively involved in the quilting community. I previously served as Region 9 Coordinator for the Quilters’ Guild and founded the Elysian Quilters group in Ely, Cambridgeshire. I was also chair of Stitched Together (formerly the Cambridgeshire Embroiderers’ Guild) and a founding member of CQ Iceni, a contemporary quilting group affiliated with The Quilters’ Guild.
I was honored to have my work published in WOW Book 5, along with other pieces featured in various stitching magazines.
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I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey—especially my mum, as well as Yvonne Brown, Mary McIntosh, and Jacquie Harvey. A special thanks also goes to those working behind the scenes, particularly Jane Rees and Louise Drake, whose support has been invaluable.
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Who knew that threads and stitching would lead to such incredible adventures?
I hope that what you see today inspires you.
Sit, Sew and Create
