Corinne Young: Tool kit

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Toolkit
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Welcome to another edition of Tool kit, a series of articles where we take a look at some of the favourite tools used by professional textile artists.

Corinne Young hails from East Yorkshire where she creates embroidered 3D artwork and bespoke accessories. Her work is inspired by gardens, antique botanical books and the artefacts to be found in historic houses.

In 2015 Corinne was chosen to receive a Craft & Design magazine silver award, took part in a joint interior/exterior exhibition with a Chelsea Gold medal winning garden designer, and undertook a commission to make 20 botanical artworks for the Modern Pantry, a London Restaurant.

In this article, Corinne talks us through the items which she holds most dear. She explains the part they play in creating her art, where to find them and why she simply couldn’t work without them

Silver thimble

Item 1 – Grandma’s silver thimble

Model: Chester hallmark
Year: Approx 1918

How do you use this item in your practice?

I use the thimble for all my hand sewing, beading etc

Why do you use this specific item?

It was gifted to me by my mother, and it had belonged to my paternal grandmother. I never met her, as she died before I was born, but I have some of her exquisite needlework. I feel connected to her through this simple piece of equipment, and feel she is helping my practice somehow.

From a practical point of view, the thimble fits my middle finger beautifully, and works really well, not breaking threads like some thimbles do. I have mislaid it several times and been heartbroken, but I have always found it again.

Quilting pins

Item 2 – Quilting pins

Brand: Sajou
Model: Special quilt machine
Year: 2015

How do you use this item in your practice?

I use the pins to hold layers of fabric and paper together before and during stitching by hand or machine

Why do you use this specific item?

As these pins are flat, triangular headed, strong and all steel, they are excellent for all tasks as they do not distort the fabric like round-headed or glass pins. I can even iron over them. I also have some long milliners pins which are good for larger projects

And where did you buy it from?

I bought the pins from a supplier of quality and beautiful haberdashery related items called Beyond Measure, they are currently £9.00 a tin, but worth it!

Sewing machine

Item 3 Sewing Machine

Brand: Bernina
Model: 1008
Year: 2003

How do you use this item in your practice?

I could not list my tools without mentioning the most important one – the sewing machine I purchased just after completing my degree in 2003. Most of my work has at least an element of machine embroidery, so my machine is in use every day.

Why do you use this specific item?

I use this same machine for all my needs. It has been used to embroider countless flowers and insects, as well as for making curtains and soft furnishings. It is the basic model as I only really use straight stitch and zigzag, and it has been a great, reliable workhorse. My lovely repairman has just replaced the motor after many thousands of miles of stitching through all sorts of materials, and now it is as good as new.

And where did you buy it from?

I bought the machine at the Knitting and Stitching Show from suppliers in Leeds called MKC Services.

Slicker brush

Item 4 – Slicker brush

Brand: Lawrence
Model: Large original
Year: 2004

How do you use this item in your practice?

I make large sheets of paper as an organic style background for my work using flax fibres. I need to card it, as you do with wool fibre, in order to separate small quantities of fiber to make the paper.

Why do you use this specific item?

I first used a pet brush for this having found that carding brushes for wool are so expensive. I had one for my cat! Having discovered that it was a cheaper option, I bought larger dog brushes and have been using the same ones for some time

And where did you buy it from?

My local pet store, but the details for the manufacturer are here.

Stencil cutting pen

Item 5 – Stencil cutting pen

Year: Approx 2000

How do you use this item in your practice?

I do design some stencils to make the outlining and colouring of some of my background pieces easier, so I use this hot pen to cut those stencils from mylar. I also use the pen to burn holes into some of my seedheads and flowers to give them a distressed look.

Why do you use this specific item?

I was actually given this particular tool by a friend, but have used it many times over the years. It is the perfect lightweight and precise tool for my needs, and I think better than a soldering iron.

And where did you buy it from?

You can find something similar here.

Threads

Item 6 – Threads

In addition, I would not be without my large palette of threads, mostly by Madeira. I first used them at College as I was a Madeira Sponsored Student in the final year of my degree. I love the quality and lustre of these threads, and they have a huge selection of colours. I particularly like the Classic Ombre shades which have several tones of the same colour, as they give a natural look to flowers and leaves.