Jo Aston lives in the UK and has worked within the craft industry for many years. Her designs showcase both traditional and contemporary styles and feature a wide range of hand embroidery techniques.
Describe Your Style in Three Words?
Eclectic, traditional, contemporary.
How Long Have You Been Stitching For?
I have stitched for as long as I can remember, I used to make and embroider my dolls clothes and embellish my clothing and bags. I was always at my happiest crafting. I first began to use embroidery in my textile work whilst doing my foundation course before university. I particularly liked to stitch onto paper to create texture and combine this with paint and pattern.
What’s Your Favorite Stitch?
I think it would have to be a good old running stitch, you can achieve great effects by varying the thread, thickness and spacing.
How Did You Learn to Stitch?
I learned to stitch at infant/junior school. We had a crafts class and I remember really enjoying making items like cross stitch coasters and drawstring bags on 6 count brightly coloured Aida.
What Are Your Embroidery Essentials?
Stranded cotton/tapestry wool, a magnifier lamp, stitchcraft and Illustrator software and my light pad for tracing onto fabric.
What Inspires You?
I find inspiration everywhere, nature, travel, interior and fashion trends. I also have a lovely studio that looks out onto a beautiful garden full of bird life and flowers.
What’s Your Favorite Piece Of Work?
There are so many so this is a difficult one. Of my more recent designs, it would be a range of 3 contemporary designs that featured 3 women in different settings with 3D hair and textural elements in their clothing. Of my more traditional work it would probably be a cross stitch bird sampler/scene which I created in my early days. This was one of the first designs that I felt really proud of.
What Difference Has Stitching Made To Your Life?
I have made a wonderful career out of embroidery. I feel very thankful that I have been able to do this with something that I really enjoy. I have had fantastic travel opportunities through this and met some amazing people. When designing, I love that feeling when I really get my teeth into a project, it makes me excited to get up in the morning and get going again.
