2027: SUZETTE SMART

***Note: exact dates may shift by a day or two depending upon flight schedules***

COURSE OVERVIEW

This workshop will explore two textile projects, both inspired by Suzette’s distinctive way of working, offering a variety of ideas for collage, layering, and stitching.

The first project, Fabric Windows, invites you to create a personal story piece using vintage and repurposed fabrics to layer and frame. A window can suggest something hidden, precious, remembered, or protected — a frame for a story, a glimpse into memory, or a place of quiet significance. The fabric and paper windows will open to reveal a stitched picture, something framed or other treasures.

You’ll also be introduced to Suzette’s favoured transfer method for adding text and words into your work. There will be sheets of words and phrases available for you to include in your own work or Suzette will advise if you wish to bring your own words to transfer.

You’ll be shown ideas for the structure of your story window and individual suggestions for making connections within your work. You may wish to add small embellishments, such as a keepsake charm and how you may elevate these into something precious. Your finished window may become a standalone artwork or sit within a small collaged composition.

In the second, smaller project, you’ll create a garden bird using a collage of fabric and paper, before developing it further with intuitive hand stitching to add texture, detail, and character. This charming stitched bird may become the starting point for a new piece of work or, with the addition of a brooch back, be attached to a fragment of old quilt or a small collaged background and developed further.

Throughout the week, you’ll explore how to develop ideas through collage and stitch to create work that feels layered, personal, and rich in narrative.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKING FORM

(For pricing, please see below)

BIOGRAPHY

Suzette is a textile artist, Storyteller and Tutor whose multi-layered work blends fabric collage, free-machine and hand stitching with a little mixed media. Her practice is deeply rooted in narrative and memory, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the stories woven into the materials themselves.

Working mostly with repurposed and found fabrics—often thrifted, gifted, or carrying personal histories—Suzette embraces reuse as both a creative choice and an environmentally conscious practice. Linen, lace and fabric scraps become the foundation for pieces that layer imagery, meaning, and texture. Birds encountered on walks and family mementoes such as a women’s land army badge, are recurring motifs, bringing character and intimacy to her work.

Fabric and paper windows have featured in some of her recent work. These openings invite curiosity and discovery, and as standalone pieces offer something different from her artist books.

One early example was created for a stitched story of a cuckoo which included a fragment of red quilt fabric to hint at the threat they sometimes pose to other birds.

Her process is both intuitive and deliberate, balancing spontaneity with careful craftsmanship.

Suzette delivers workshops and talks to groups throughout the UK, SW France and America. She is co-curator of the acclaimed biennial Stitch By Stitch exhibition at The Willow Gallery in Shropshire.

PRICING

Prices per person for 2027 are as follows:

The cost of our creativity holidays is inclusive of the following:

• Course fees and basic materials
  (except for any course specific materials that the tutor requests you bring with you)
• Airport collection and drop-off
  (allotted airports and times only)
• Accommodation
  (price varies by type of accommodation selected - we assume single occupancy by default unless you specifically request to share with a friend/partner)
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  (one meal taken at a local restaurant - to be paid by guests at the time)
• Tea and coffee throughout your stay 
• Aperitif and wine/beer with evening meal
• Transport to and from any excursions
• Bed linen and towels
• Access to all amenities throughout your stay
• Local tourist taxes

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKING FORM