About Me

I'm Michelle, creator of Rainyday Stitches. I grew up on the North East coast of England and currently live in the North West in a town on the edge of the West Pennine Moors with my family and 2 cats.

 

 I have been creating with textiles in some form for 30 years. I mainly embroider, knit and sew/quilt, but have taken up weaving and spinning in the last few years. Like many people I have struggled with mental health issues throughout my life, and the rhythm and calm that making embodies has given me a sense of purpose and wellbeing.

 

As a result of one of those life changing events that come along I decided to make my love of textiles even more of a part of my life. I began filling in the skills that I lacked by taking various art and textile classes including a short course on cloth doll making. I then undertook the City & Guilds Level 3 certificate in Textiles with a focus on Hand Embroidery, and I am currently working towards my Royal School of Needlework Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery. Taking these qualifications has allowed me to build self confidence, connect with makers from different backgrounds and with different styles and to understand the opportunities that textiles can offer and be sure that I can produce any work I offer to a high standard.