The Knitting & Stitching Shows champion some of the world’s best textile tutors and retailers. Meet the makers and business owners face-to-face at our Shows, find out more about how they got to where they are now and get their top tips.
In a series of meet the maker interviews, we’ve caught up some members of the Textiles community, from judging panel members to Great British Sewing Bee contestants. Watch this space!
Mark Francis
Is a musician, a huge Doctor Who fan and was a quarter finalist on The Great British Sewing Bee in 2020.
Mark Francis has a passion for making clothes that have a vintage influence, particularly costumes and designs in his favourite shows.
Juliet Uzor
Former primary school teacher, a mum, and in 2019 was the winner of BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee.
Juliet Uzor loves making clothes in a range of fabrics of different textures, colours, patterns and origins. She gets her inspiration from everyday women of varying shapes and sizes.
Miranda Griffith
Sewer, Knitter, Crocheter and contributor for Love Sewing Magazine.
You may recognise Miranda Griffith from the Chunky hat workshop that she taught for Beyond K&S or her feature in Love Sewing Magazine article.
Jenn Hogg
Textile Artist and Great British Sewing Bee 2019 Contestant
Jen Hogg took part in The Great British Sewing Bee 2019, reaching the semi-final, and was described by the show as “one of the most talented and consistent sewers ever to take part”.
Anya Paintsil
Textile Artist and 2021 Panellist for The Fine Art Textiles Award
Anya Paintsil is a Welsh-Ghanaian artist working primarily with textiles.
From rug hooking to embroidery, her assemblages evoke tactile tapestry on the one hand, and constitute semi-sculptural interventions on the other. Frequently using weaves, braids and other hair pieces (as well as her own hair), Paintsil laces debates around race and gender into the very fabric of her work….
