Sue Davey
Do you concentrate on one medium, or do you work in several?
My mum taught me to make clothes when I was young, and I have loved working with fabric ever since. I taught dressmaking at night school for adults and had three blind ladies in my class and have always made clothes for myself, daughter and my grandchildren.
In 2019 I attended Derby College and completed my C&G Textiles levels 1 & 2. Here, I learnt the basics of free-motion embroidery and fell in love! I developed my technique, and as I received Distinctions for both levels 1 and 2, I decided to use my talents to create pictures using only a background fabric, watercolour pencils, and thread. I have a wonderful imagination and see a picture in my head of what I would like to create and then it just happens, developing as I go along.
Since then, I have started my own business - Suzilu Little Pictures and Crafts. I have branched out to include my ‘little embroidered covered books’ and print my greeting cards using prints from my little pictures. In 2024 I started teaching fabric crafts and my students create some wonderful items.
Tell me about your workspace.
I am lucky enough to own a craft room. It is light and spacious (although it could be slightly larger!) I own several sewing machines and use the same make of machine I used at College for my free motion embroidery. I have planned my room so my machine thread are on one wall, shelving along another which holds my fat quarters and a small ironing board unit made out of an Ikea unit!
My dream would be to own a building that houses fabric downstairs and workshops upstairs, allowing everyone to create beautiful things.
What inspires you?
The inspiration for my little pictures comes from the beautiful countryside that I am lucky enough to live in. The seaside pictures are purely imaginary as we live in the middle of the country so far away from the sea!
There is always a little book available for everyone. I cover all kinds of topics and can make personalized books for that special person. I enjoy searching for fabrics to match different topics and every book I create is unique – I will never make the same one twice!
Do you have a favourite piece in your Little Gallery exhibition?
No, I love every picture that I create, each one is made with love and has a little bit of me in there. I always get a thrill when one of my pictures is bought. One of my little pictures lives in the USA.
How did you start doing what you do?
I have always had a passion for crafting and working with fabric. All the members of my family work creatively, including teaching art, music, drama, photography and flower arranging. My grandad was a printer and designer and I recently discovered my great, great Aunt was a dressmaker. It looks like I have the gene!
Do you work on your creative business full time, or do you have another job as well?
I work as a Corporate Receptionist at DHU Heathcare CIC based in Derby. At Christmas, I took partial retirement to enable me to spend more time working on my business. I work in two-hour sessions, as I find this the most enjoyable.
If you have spare time, what do you do with it?
I prefer to keep my work part-time, as I am semi-retired. I want to enjoy this stage of my life with my husband and our Border Terrier, Skye. I enjoy working alone but love being out in the fresh air and meeting people.
What’s next for you?
Looking towards the future, I am going to continue to teach my ‘All that fabric courses’, and improve and grow my business. This is my first exhibition and I would like to
