Claire Montgomerie
I encourage experimentation and creativity in the individual, working to each student’s strengths and at their own pace, demonstrating how disciplines which can be quite time consuming and slow can create fun and innovative pieces in a short space of time.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?A grasp of how to approach textiles in a less structured way, to adapt patterns and become more experimental with traditionally controlled techniques.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?Knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing, beading, knotting and manipulating textiles, truly a mixed media textiles approach.
What inspires your own work?It may be easier to ask what doesn’t inspire my work! Whatever happens to be around me; the garden, landscapes, films, vintage fashion, interiors and textiles, old knitting and crochet patterns, jewellery, old animations, children’s books, toys and cartoons?I could go on!
Where can students see examples of your work?My website, Loop yarn shop in London, in animation collaborations with Model Robot animation company, in my books and in various knitting magazines and websites.
Where did you gain your training? Experience?
BA constructed textiles MiddlesexUniversity
MA Constructed textiles The Royal College of Art, London
I work at Barnet College, Herts, with 16-18yr old ND fashion and textiles students and with Fashion Foundation students, where I am working towards a teaching qualification. I run textiles workshops every month at Loop yarn shop in London
Have you written any books/had articles published?Easy Baby Knits, by Ryland, Peters and Small published 2007
The Yarn Palette, Readers Digest, published Oct 2008
Easy Kids Knits, Ryland, Peters and Small, to be published spring 2009