Introducing our Textile Creatives: Heather L

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For Heather L working with textiles initially provided a respite from a busy and often stressful job.  One of her favourite pieces is an embroidered cushion - first started in the late 1960's when she was a second year RMO at Toowoomba Base Hospital.  It was put aside unfinished and forgotten until COVID lockdown when it was finally completed. The ultimate slow stitching project!


After retiring in 2012 Heather was looking for a new challenge.  She attended a patchwork class and loved it.  She likes the precision of cutting the fabrics and manipulating them into new shapes.  There is endless possibilities in the patterns and colour combinations.  She is now a member of Gold Coast Quilters Guild. 


Heather used lockdown to revisit and refine her embroidery skills.  She is self taught (with a little help from Youtube!)  She mostly prefers machine stitching but does enjoy handstitching from time to time.  The duchess set below was her first foray into french knots and was completed with a little help from her friend Stephanie, who did the crocheted edging.


In 2021 Heather joined the Wild Women Textile Arts Group (now Textile Creatives GC) and is thoroughly enjoying the exposure to new techniques and different aspects of textile arts.  She loves the Group's philosophy on reusing and repurposing textiles and loves using scraps in her work.  We have all benefited from her willingness to share her knowledge and her time - through running demonstrations and activities and in her current role of Chair on the Group's committee.




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