Clare Simpson is an embroiderer and surface designer combining a love of traditional textile techniques with the joy of colour, pattern and texture. Particularly inspired by the often-overlooked skills of domestic needlecraft, she revisits old techniques and reimagines them in new contexts, often exploring the interaction between embroidery and print. At Cloth#22 she will be selling her recently launched limited-edition range of bags, pouches and cases featuring designs from her ‘Print x Stitch’ collection. Each combines an embroidery-inspired digital print with hand or machine embroidered panels, in the vibrant colour combinations that are the signature of her work.

Heather Hancock is a maker who creates original 2D and 3D pieces, using stitched, collaged and drawn techniques. Originally from North Yorkshire, Heather now lives on the edge of the Peak District, and finds inspiration in the wild, beautiful landscape that surrounds her. The movement of birds inspire Heather to use ink and pen to create fluid, expressive studies which are developed into mixed media pieces later in the studio.

I am a textile artist working with free-machine embroidery to decorate the clothing and soft furnishings that I make, mainly on a commission basis. Inspired by flora and fauna I study the details of each animal or flower to recreate it in stitch. The rich colours and way that light catches on say a bird’s wing or lilies petal is recreated with my process of drawing and painting with thread. Each piece becomes a little treasure reminding the wearer or owner of how precious our wildlife is and how surprising colours can be found in everyday creatures and plants.

Slightly strange textile creatures. Most are loosely based on human form though often also have bird or animal characteristics. They are sewn by hand and machine incorporating new and recycled fabrics, may be felted,painted, printed, dyed, stained, manipulated etc and can also include found and repurposed elements. Most are jointed so they can be posed but they are designed for adult collectors only and are not suitable for small children or robust play.