If you live close to Lincoln or are visiting on 3rd March 2026.
Lucy and I would love to see you at the Private View of our exhibition 5 pm – 7 pm.
Exhibition runs from 3rd to 15th March.
Join Us for a Private View in Lincoln
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Tag Archives: Machine stitch
Embroidery Exhibition at Indigo Crow Gallery, Lincoln
Selecting work for an exhibition of embroidery and mixed media. Delighted to be showing my work at Indigo Crow Gallery, Lincoln alongside the wonderful hand stitched landscapes of Lucy Reid.
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New Interview on Textileartist.org
I’m delighted to announce my new interview Stitching Stories has been published on textileartist.org
I will also be teaching my Cast of Stitched Characters workshop and will be active in the members area of Stitch Club from 17 November to 28 November. I am so looking forward to it. This will be my first online workshop in a long time!
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The Emotional Depth in Sue Stone’s Creations
Retrospective – An Archive of work made in 2024
Title of Work: A Glimpse of Calm Amidst the Chaos 2024
“A Glimpse of Calm Amidst the Chaos” captures a 1940s family posed on a stile, embodying a fleeting moment of serenity in a world which seems to be run by lunatics. Set against an idyllic rural landscape, the family sits with an air of innocence, contrasting starkly with the chaos around them. Through a mix of hand stitch, free machine stitch and appliqué, Sue Stone weaves a tactile story of continuity and contradiction. By blending traditional techniques with contemporary reflections, the piece invites viewers to ponder how much – or how little – the world has changed. The work speaks to a longing for stability in uncertain times, drawing attention to the persistent tension between personal sanctuary and societal upheaval.
Materials & Techniques
Hand stitch and free machine stitch:cotton and wool threads on a cotton/linen background with applied recycled cotton lawn clothing fabrics.
Size: 38.5 x 51 cms
First Shown in the Broderers Exhibition at Bankside Gallery 2025
Title of work: The Stuff of Nightmares 2024
“The Stuff of Nightmares” delves into the fractured visions of a troubled mind affected by the world’s darkest realities. Through haunting imagery of global conflicts, innocent lives lost, and a society seemingly led by madness, Sue Stone uses intricate hand and free machine stitching combined with appliqué to capture this dystopian landscape. The textured layers, are pieced together to echo the fragmented experiences of those touched by war and suffering. This work confronts viewers with raw and unsettling truths, challenging them to acknowledge the unseen nightmares that echo through society, while also highlighting the fragility of humanity caught up in the mayhem.
Materials & Techniques
Hand and free machine stitch: cotton and wool threads on a cotton/linen background with applied recycled cotton lawn clothing fabrics.
Size:38.5 x 51 cms
First Shown in the Broderers Exhibition at Bankside Gallery London 2025
Soon to be shown in The Usher Open, Lincoln, UK 2025
Making as Learning Exhibition – Salts Mill
For this exhibition which celebrated the 62Group@62 Sue Stone created two double-sided pieces that establish a dialogue between the visible and hidden aspects of her work, transforming the making process into a journey of learning.
Title – Coalescence
Sue Stone’s work is a construction of teaching samples and studies for completed pieces which showcase a diverse range of techniques and explorations. Each piece is distinguished by additional stitching that leaves a distinctive footprint on the back, adding a unique element to the artwork’s structure. By including self-portraits, Sue pays tribute to Audrey Walker, who was known for her stitched portraiture. This homage highlights the inspiration drawn from Audrey’s legacy and influence, whilst also highlighting the personal and introspective nature of artistic expression. This blend of teaching, experimentation, and tribute encapsulates Sue’s creative journey.
Materials: Linen, recycled clothing , cotton thread, wool yarn, paint, InkTense pencil
Techniques: Hand and machine stitching, appliqué, painting, waterproofing, fabric weaving
Size:63 x 182 x 2 cmsTitle – Integrated
Sue Stone’s work consists of digital prints of finished pieces that have been showcased in 62 Group exhibitions. This artwork is uniquely marked by additional hand and machine stitching, visible as a distinctive footprint on the back. This stitching not only adds texture and depth but also symbolises the Sue’s commitment to blending modern and traditional techniques in her creative process. The integration of these elements highlights the artist’s innovative approach to contemporary art, creating a dialogue between the visible and hidden aspects of her work, and inviting viewers to explore the layers of meaning within each piece.
Materials: Digitally printed waterproof fabric, Cotton threads, linen fabric
Techniques: Digital printing, appliqué, hand and machine stitching
Size: 63 x 182 x 2 cms
First shown at Salts Mill, Saltaire, Bradford in 62@62 Making as Learning exhibition
Title – Integrated
Sue Stone’s work consists of digital prints of finished pieces that have been showcased in 62 Group exhibitions. This artwork is uniquely marked by additional hand and machine stitching, visible as a distinctive footprint on the back. This stitching not only adds texture and depth but also symbolises the Sue’s commitment to blending modern and traditional techniques in her creative process. The integration of these elements highlights the artist’s innovative approach to contemporary art, creating a dialogue between the visible and hidden aspects of her work, and inviting viewers to explore the layers of meaning within each piece.
Materials: Digitally printed waterproof fabric, Cotton threads, linen fabric
Techniques: Digital printing, appliqué, hand and machine stitching
Size: 63 x 182 x 2 cms
First shown at Salts Mill
Naomi
Celebrating the Life of Naomi Crowder who lived life to the full.
Fred in Suits
A partner piece to She Tailored the Clothes They Wore 2023 depicting Fred Stone, Sue Stone’s Dad in fashionable suits; waistcoat and single breasted jacket around 1929/30, double breasted and chalk striped in the 1940s , His suits were always worn with a white shirt and a tweed or silk tie.
Shown at The Hub, Sleaford in the 62 Group Tailored exhibition
Schooldays 1920s
From my father-in-law’s school photo (he is on the front row seated left at the end of the bench. Detail above.
Good Companions: The Girls who Made the Suits v3 2024
“Good Companions :The Girls Who Made the Suits” explores the strength and solidarity found within a community of women. The artist’s mother, a professionally trained tailor, worked
tirelessly with a group of women in the tailoring department of a small-town store, crafting bespoke suits for local businessmen. Despite their skill and labour, the women received no recognition ; credit was given to the men in charge. In response, the women built a close-knit community, supporting one another both at work and in their personal lives. Through hand embroidery, Sue Stone reflects on this unspoken bond and the quiet power of their shared experiences.
Size:20 x 20 cms
Shown at the 13th Baltic Minitextiles exhibition at Museum of Gdynia, Poland in 2025
Now acquired by the Museum of Gdynia collection
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62 Group’s 62nd Anniversary: My Works at Salts Mill
Discover my works “Coalescence’ and ‘Integrated’ at the 62 Group’s ‘Making as Learning’ exhibition. Read more about the 62 Group I’d love you to visit the exhibition in person to see the amazing work of the 62 Group members.
This wonderful exhibition is taking place in the roof space at the historic Salts Mill in Saltaire, near Bradford, Uk. It runs from 8th September to 3rd November 2024.
‘Making as Learning’ is an exciting exploration of how the creative process itself can be a journey of learning. I’m thrilled to be showcasing my work in such a remarkable space. Salts Mill is open from 11am-4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Read more about Salts Mill
For this exhibition, I’ve created two double-sided pieces ‘Coalescence’ and ‘Integrated’. The work establishes a dialogue between the visible and hidden aspects of the composition. This dialogue transforms the making process into a voyage of discovery.
Coalescence
This work is a construction of teaching samples and studies for completed pieces. It showcases a diverse range of techniques and explorations. Each piece is distinguished by additional stitching. This stitching leaves a distinctive footprint on the back, adding a unique element to the artwork’s structure.
By including self-portraits, I pay tribute to the late Audrey Walker; artist, and educator. Audrey was a former 62 Group honorary exhibiting member who was known for her stitched portraiture and still life compositions.
This homage highlights the inspiration drawn from Audrey’s legacy and influence. It also calls attention to the personal and introspective nature of artistic expression. The blend of teaching, experimentation, and tribute really encapsulates my creative journey.
Materials: Linen, recycled clothing , cotton thread, wool yarn, paint, InkTense pencil
Techniques: Hand and machine stitching, appliqué, painting, waterproofing, fabric weaving
Size 63 x 182 x 2 cms – double sided hanging
Integrated
This work consists of digital prints of finished pieces that have been showcased in 62 Group exhibitions. This artwork is uniquely marked by additional hand and machine stitching, visible as a distinctive footprint on the back.
This stitching not only adds texture and depth but also symbolises my commitment to blending modern and traditional techniques in my creative process. The integration of these elements highlights my approach to contemporary art, creating a dialogue between the visible and hidden aspects of my work, and inviting viewers to explore the layers of meaning within each piece.
Materials: Digitally printed waterproof fabric, Cotton threads, linen fabric
Techniques: Digital printing, appliqué, hand and machine stitching
Size 63 x 182 x 2 cms
A footnote: I waterproofed both pieces of work because the roof in the roof space leaks! It’s good to be prepared for all eventualities!
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Retrospective – an Archive of work made in 2023
Fred in Suits and Muriel May Stone • She Tailored the Clothes They Wore 2023
Fred in Suits shows Sue Stone’s Dad in the 1930s and 1940s
Sue Stone grew up surrounded by tweed, serge, and worsted fabrics. She learned to sew at an early age and the word ‘Tailored’ has a very personal meaning for her. In 1928 aged 14 her Mum, Muriel May Stone was apprenticed to a tailor. She trained professionally and then worked in the bespoke tailoring department of a large department store in her hometown of Grimsby until her marriage. Muriel may have had to stop going out to work when she married but she never gave up tailoring and so Sue and her sister, Jean wore the Sunday best suits, coats, and jackets that Muriel lovingly made for them.
Sue’s Dad, Fred was a picture of sartorial elegance and always wore a fashionable suit. He wore a 3 piece as a young man consisting of ultra fashionable plus fours, waistcoat, single breasted jacket and Argyll socks around 1929/30, and double breasted and chalk striped in the 1940s usually wore with a white shirt and a tweed or silk tie. He wore a suit everyday until his retirement when he reluctantly donned a more casual sports jacket or cardigan and slacks.
3 new self portraits 2023 no 68, 69, 70 – mixed media – part of Sue Stone’s installation of 70 self portraits which each measure 26 x 30 cms (10 x 12 ins)
A Grimsby Girl’s World Tour series has included imagined journeys to Bogota, Colombia, Tokyo, Japan, outer space, Copenhagen, Denmark, Madrid, Spain, Brooklyn, NYC, USA, & Vancouver, Canada.
The Grimsby Girl is the artist’s Mum, Muriel May Stone who was born in an era when women had no right to vote. She had no chance to travel abroad in her lifetime and very few opportunities in life to pursue her artistic and musical interests. Muriel loved singing and was a talented contralto. She left school aged 13 and was apprenticed to a tailor. It was a hard life with no recognition of her talents as a seamstress. Here, in this exhibition she visits Bergerac in SW France.
Below: Small studies for the Textileartist.org Stitch Club Workshop July 2023
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52 x 74 cms
59 x 48.5 cms
59 x 48.5 cms
100 x 77 cms
28 x 33 cms
59 x 132 cms
31 x 38 cms
52 x 74 cms
36 x 44 cms
69 x 100cms
175 x 123 cms
58 x 112 cms
31 x 40 cms
31 x 38 cms
102 x71 cms
71 x 100 cms
149 x 87.5 cms
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Retrospective – an archive of work made in 2022
A Grimsby Girl’s World Tour version 1 30 x 30 cms & version 2 • 33 x 28 cms
Version 1 was shown at the Uk Knitting & Stitching shows in the 62 Group of Textile Artists Essence exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Group.
These are very poignant pieces which capture the essence of my creative practice: textural stitch, appliqué and paint combine to create the allusion of a journey to another place and time. It is a poignant work depicting the visit of grandmother to a grandson she never met. He was born 3 weeks after she died. The Grimsby girl, my Mum, Muriel is shown as a child in this piece. She never had the opportunity to travel outside the UK in her lifetime; here she travels to Copenhagen where her grandson, Sam currently lives with his wife, Eliana.
A Step into the Unknown 2022 – revamped version • mixed media • 74 x 52 cms
Lost in a Strange World 2022 • mixed media – 74 x 52 cms
A selection of samples made for my Cast of Characters workshop for Textileartist.org
A selection of samples made for my Off the Grid workshop for Textileartist.org
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Do you have a story to tell in stitch?
Fancy joining me in April 2023 at Hudson River Valley Workshops, in New York State, USA?
Dates: Sunday 16 April to Saturday 22 April 2023
This experimental workshop will focus on combining several images to create a real or imagined journey. The aim of the workshop is to encourage exploration and experimentation to capture the spirit of the journey and the people, real or imagined, who will accompany you on that journey.
Here’s the concept behind the ‘Journey Through Time’ workshop
Your journey could take the form of a Travelogue as in my USA Travelogue work Brooklyn: ‘Recollection, Return & Repartee’ (above) or it could take the form of a journey through life by incorporating more than one image of a specific person as in ‘My Portrait of a Grimsby Girl.’ (below)
You could push your imagination and take a real person on an imagined journey. In ‘A Grimsby Girl’s World Tour’ series I take my Mum to places she was never able to visit but that I think she would have loved.
Or ask ‘What if?’ And make a portrait of yourself or of your chosen person in another time or place .
Enjoy historical details by asking ‘What if I visited the Tudor period?’ or a different culture by asking ‘What if I could go to Japan? ‘A Grimsby Girl’s World Tour – Tokyo’. Or simply ask what if I take some 1930s Grimsby Girls to modern day London as in ‘RIP Grimsby St E2’ as in RIP Grimsby St E2 which is set in the east End of London.
This is primarily a hand/machine stitch workshop but you will have the option to focus entirely on hand stitch, or machine stitch, choose to combine both techniques or add appliqué and mixed media.
The techniques used in this workshop are suitable for all abilities.
You are asked to bring a selection of drawings or photographs, text or anecdotes you wish to include or use as personal inspiration for your work. A full guide to choosing suitable images to work from will be sent out in advance of the workshop.
Enrolment is now open for my 5 day narrative workshop.
I look forward to meeting you in the USA!
https://www.artworkshops.com/workshop/4210/
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Shift : A change in direction.
Allusion: A suggestion or hint that calls something to mind without mentioning it.
Sue Stone Solo Exhibition ‘ Shifts & Allusions’ 2023
Venue: The Hub, Navigation Wharf, Carre Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7TW
formerly the National Centre for Craft and Design
Exhibition runs from14 January to 12th March 2023 in the ground floor gallery.
I have been busy sorting out the work to show in my Shifts & Allusions exhibition and in this exhibition I will be inviting you to find the stories behind my compositions and work out for yourself what they mean.
Most of my work contains a nod to my Grimsby heritage. The fish has become my signature and it often appears somewhere in my work. This exhibition includes a selection of larger narrative works made between 2013 and 2022, some of which haven’t been shown before. They are shown alongside some new smaller studies and a selection of tactile handling samples which show some of the techniques I have used in the finished pieces.
I will be giving a gallery talk at 2pm on Sat 18 February 2023 and a teaching a one day workshop at the Hub on Sunday 19 February
‘A Focus on Faces • an introduction to illustrative portraits
womanwithafish 