Having spent some time ‘having-a-go’ at a variety of crafts (applique, embroidery, crochet, wet felting, needle felting, machine embroidery and spinning) I came back to weaving; I love the process of creating a high quality, tangible, finished product that brings joy to feel and look at.

In early 2020, I received a weekend training on an 8-shaft loom, from Kirsty at the Liverpool Weaving Company. Then, I was fortunate enough to gain a place on the 2 year Diploma in Handweaving at the Handweaving Studio and Gallery in London, in 2022. The course pushed me creatively and technically, but most importantly opened my eyes to so many possibilities and to finding my own style. Over the past 4 years, I’ve discovered that weaving brings calm, joy and focus, and allows me to form a connection between my a love of the outdoors and stories to create meaningful products.

I currently work on a 16 shaft Ashford Table Loom and a restored 100 year old, 8 shaft Maxwell Countermarch Loom. Double weave is a favourite structure that I love to explore, along with designing my own unique patterns. The environment is extremely important to me. As a small-scale production, I can have more control over my impact, for example, waste yarn can be used as cushion stuffing or even composted. I mainly work with organic cotton, bamboo or non-mulesed merino lambswool. I also work in collaboration with The Sheep Sanctuary in Whitby, where the wool is traceable and helps support the sheep in their forever home.

After 14 years of working as a Teaching Assistant, I am now fulfilling the dream of working full time as a weaver in my garden studio. Collaboration with my son Joe, newly qualified in Level 3 Carpentry and autistic, makes Mather Makes a truly family affair!