Meet the Maker: Emma Corry

British textile artist Emma Corry from Emma Corry Designs creates gorgeous textile art and decorations with incredible attention to detail, using a vintage Elna sewing machine just like her mum’s. We caught up with Emma to find out more about her beautifully crafted pieces and the inspiration behind her textiles…

Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?
Hello Folksy, my name is Emma Louise Corry and I’m a textile designer and maker. I live in Marcham, Oxfordshire, with my husband, daughter, two cats and a hamster. I love to create beautiful pieces using carefully chosen new and upcycled fabric with attention to detail, colour and design.

I’ve always been creative – my mother tells stories of me making handmade paper in her blender and printing wrapping paper on the kitchen floor.

Did you always want to work with textiles?
I remember the first time I borrowed my mother’s Elna sewing machine. I was about 8 years old and I spent a long time teaching myself to thread it and sew with it. I’ve recently bought the same model, as it evokes so many lovely memories. I’ve always been creative – my mother tells stories of me making handmade paper in her blender and printing wrapping paper on the kitchen floor – but my love of textiles really began when I started my two-year diploma at Worthing College for Art and Design in 1984.

I’ve recently bought the same model Elna sewing machine that my mother used to use, as it evokes so many lovely memories.

How did you get from there to where you are now?
After my diploma, I did a three-year degree course in Fashion and Textiles at Leicester Polytechnic, followed by a two-year MA in Woven Textile Design at the Royal College of Art in London. I graduated in 1991 – I can’t believe I was only 20 years old! After leaving the RCA, I worked as a freelance textile designer for a short period, then for Monsoon, followed by a job designing window displays for a family business. I then went back to working for myself and started my own greetings card company, specialising in handmade cards. Now that has grown into Emma Corry Designs, which I run from my studio at home, while also organising ‘Stitch and Sew’ clubs for primary school children and giving textile support to ‘A’ level students.

I often wonder where my ideas come from. I can honestly say, they just develop.

Do you think your experience working in retail has helped your own business?
Working for Monsoon gave me a wonderful insight into running a business and designing window displays allowed me to be creative each day. It was doing that that made me realise I wanted to run my own creative business.

What inspires you?
I love to visit exhibitions and new places, and meet new people. Folksy is also a huge inspiration – it’s a wonderful online gallery and so creative.

Where do your ideas come from?
I often wonder where my ideas come from. I can honestly say, they just develop.

Who are your design heroes?
There are so many: Ann Sutton for her passion for woven textiles, Julie Arkell for her delightful mix of textile and papier mâché, and Alice Kettle, for her beautiful work. I also have a passion for ceramics and two friends stand out – Gail Gulland and Sue Drew.

I layer fabric upon fabric to create wings of birds, hearts, stars and flowers…

Can you talk us through your creative process?
My creative process starts by drawing on white paper using my favourite black pen. I then use the copied drawing as a paper pattern, sewing threw the paper with my sewing machine. I layer fabric upon fabric to create wings of birds, hearts, stars and flowers, and then I cut away the excess cloth using a very sharp pair of scissors.

What’s your favourite part of the process?
I love to cut out my designs and see the finished piece start to emerge!

I love to cut out my designs and see the finished piece start to emerge!

What is it about working with textiles that you particularly enjoy?
I love using my sewing machine to write and draw with. I love the fact I can design and make textile pieces in a small space. Above all, I love the feel of fabric.

My sewing machine is always ready to use, and I surround myself with fabrics.

Can you describe your workspace?
My studio is upstairs in our home. I share my space with my 10-year-old daughter who has her own desk. My sewing machine is always ready to use, and I surround myself with fabrics (larger pieces that lay flat in drawers or baskets filled with tiny pieces). I always listen to Radio 4 – the Archers is a favourite and occasionally the odd tune by Will Young!

I can’t wait to start work each morning. Being creative is what I love to be.

What’s the best thing about being creative for a living?
I just love the fact I can’t wait to start work each morning. Being creative is what I love to be.

What would you say to someone thinking about selling their work?
Try it. When your first sale comes, it’s a wonderful achievement.

I have baskets and baskets filled with tiny pieces of fabric.

What does craft mean to you?
I have just looked up the meaning in the dictionary and this is what I read: “An activity involving skill in making things by hand.” That is what craft means to me.