Above: Eco printing with students.
We spoke to Textile Artist Esther Collins recently to find out more about her art and forthcoming workshops at Denmans. She also tealks about her Creative Textile Group which recently held an exhibition at Denmans. Entitled ‘The Tree of Life Exhibition – An exploration in textile art and embroidery, taking inspiration from nature’, the exhibition showcased inspirational and unusual textile work and embroideries all based around trees and the natural environment. The Creative Textile Group worked on their submissions for the project for over a year.
Textile artists Esther Collins with some of her textile vessels.
All members of the group are regular students who belong to one of my “creative textiles groups.” We meet monthly at my studio in Storrington, where we work on a series of projects based around a theme for the year. Each member works on her own individual piece, but everyone is working on the same project at the same time. For example, in 2025 we worked on making textile vessels, a lampshade, a scroll, and a wall hanging, all based around the theme of trees, and each member’s take was different. Everyone has the opportunity to show and discuss their work and get feedback and suggestions from the group, along with a lot of encouragement and camaraderie!
I’ve always been drawn to the natural world for inspiration. I do a lot of walking and I always take photos when I’m out and about to use as reference for my work. These are often of the little, overlooked details, such as the veins on a leaf, the texture of bark, or a small flower in the undergrowth. I also love history, architecture and art, so my inspiration is quite broad ranging, depending on what it is I’m working on.
Autumn leaves.
I love to use a whole range of different techniques in my work and am always keen to try out new ways of doing things and to experiment. Teaching allows me to push myself to come up with new workshops and of course I learn so much from my students too! I’m not at all traditional and have a real belief that making things should be a fun and enjoyable process. Typically, when making a work, I do a lot of visual research and collect images and ideas for a subject. I make notes, draw sketches and make little samples before I begin on a “final” piece. I consider the type of fabric and thread I will be using and begin to gather a “stash” of different colours and textures.
As part of the process, I like to print and mark my own fabric, often using things from the natural environment. For example, I enjoy eco printing, which is where you can create prints using real leaves and rust water, which is just the most amazing fun! I also use leaves and flowers with gelli printing, or by using seeds and twigs, to make marks on fabric and paper. Sometimes I naturally dye my fabric, whereby you use leaves, flowers, seeds and bark (oak galls work very well) to colour fabric and threads. The results are a lot more subtle and beautiful than just chemically dyed fabric and of course a lot better for the environment. By following these processes, I feel much more of a connection to the work I produce, as I have been involved in every stage of the production.
The Secret Forest, Denmans Tree of Life Exhibition
Once I have my materials, then a piece of work can begin to take form. Typically, I cut out shapes and piece them together, using appliqué, or fabric collage. Once the pieces are in place, I can stitch them down. I see the fabric as my “paint” to create background colours and patterns and embroidery as my “pencil” to add in line and detail. I enjoy using machine (or “freemotion”) embroidery, but also love to hand stitch, so often use a combination of both. Then finally, I might add on a few embellishments in the form of beads, buttons or more 3D items, because “why not?”!!
Just like making any art, shape and form are a really important part of my work. I’m always aware of the overall composition of a piece and how all the elements fit together. The same guidelines apply, as if you were painting a picture in terms of creating balance and harmony, or drama, in a piece. Texture is particularly important, because of course, that’s where working with fabrics and fibres really comes into its own. There are all sorts of amazing fibres, threads and mixed media I like to work with, for example silk cocoons, carrier rods or mulberry bark (which I use a lot of when teaching making textile vessels). And there are lots of techniques you can use to manipulate and shape fabric to create some wonderful three-dimensional shapes.
I come from a background in graphic design and have always loved making art in any form, but to my mind working with textiles and embroidery is the best combination of everything. There are so many different techniques you can use and build upon and infinite directions you could take your work in. It’s also a very accessible art form and doesn’t require any drawing skills, or other barriers that can put people off from being creative. It’s a fantastic way to play with shape, colour and texture and textiles have a unique tactile quality to them which is very soothing for a lot of people. In fact, it’s been proven that doing hand stitching has been shown to lower your heart rate and be incredibly good for your brain.
This is the first year I’ve worked with Denmans and am really excited about being here. Gardens and creativity go hand in hand and it’s the perfect day out, to be creative in such an inspirational setting. I love the relaxed atmosphere and the variety and imagination of the gardens and the sense of going on a journey as you explore the beautiful planting and design.
Hand stitched flowers by Esther Collins.
Our exhibition showcases a whole range of beautiful work from over 15 different artists. There will be textile vessels, wall hangings, lampshade designs and scrolls. You will see a variety of unusual techniques – expect to be amazed and inspired by the creativity and imagination on display! I will be there each day, along with some of my students to answer any questions and discuss the work.
I currently have four workshops scheduled at Denmans over the coming months which will cover a range of techniques in hand embroidery and gelli printing. I’ll be teaching some new ways with hand embroidery stitches, integrating some mixed media, in a fun and relaxed way. Expect to create some lovely little samples, learn some new skills and leave inspired to continue with your own explorations!
I have loads of wonderful courses and workshops lined up for 2026 and beyond and am hoping to come back and teach many more at Denmans, as well as in my studio in Storrington and elsewhere in Sussex. I am always working on new pieces and have an exhibition of my own work in the pipeline for 2027.
Esther is be running a series of workshops at Denmans over the coming months on the following themes:
Fantasy Flower Embroidery
Gelli Printing with Botanicals
“The Secret Garden” Mixed Media Hand Embroidery
More information on our events page: https://www.denmans.org/events/
For more on Esther go to https://www.esthercollins.co.uk/
For more information, please contact Louise Campbell
louise@denmans.org 07540892364
@denmans_garden
