What are we?
Stitch Arena is for all types of stitch enthusiasts who want to learn techniques for the simple pleasure and enjoyment of it. With regular updates there will always be new ideas, samples and projects to look out for and to inspire – just click on What’s New? to find out more... Stitch Arena aims to nurture your individuality and creativity through various stages from inspiration, design development and sampling of techniques to the final production of a unique, personal piece of textile art. Go to the Stitch Arena to unlock your potential.
There are no complex course fees required or certificates to work towards, just one annual Subscription of £19.75 which enables you to access all areas! You can also Register without Subscribing so that we may contact you (there is a tick box if you prefer that we don't), with forthcoming news and events, though registration does not give access to the Stitch Arena.
The projects and samples are there to inspire and encourage you, just like in a workshop but in your own home, so you can find your own pace and level. We positively encourage you to sample and try out new ideas of your own or interpret our ideas in your own way. In fact, we would really like to see your finished pieces of art, so please send us your pictures.
To help you along the way, each project or sample idea has been broken down to give you further information, materials you may require, ideas for experimentation and how you might like to complete it.
Our Resources section houses a Photo Album with more photographic inspiration; a Sketchbook of ideas for design development; a video Stitch Library (with step-by-step images too), showing you how to work the techniques along with a How to… section (also with videos) and step-by-step images) for everything else, including Design Development tutorials, Preparation tips right through to Completion of your project, taking in Tools and Equipment and Health and Safety along the way. We guide you through each stage from starting with a simple waste knot through to mounting and displaying your work. Learn how to use various tools and equipment safely. It's all here! And if you’re still not sure, we you can even try before you buy which gives a hint of what is available behind the scenes.
Each set of instructions in the Stitch Arena has a list of items used. If you want to purchase any of the items, simply click on buy these materials on the right of the screen and you will be directed to our Stockroom. Alternatively, go directly to the Stockroom and have a good old browse…
We have inspiring creativity packs that are colour co-ordinated so you can be inspired simply by the colours and textures!
Each materials pack contains more than enough fabric or thread (no part-skeins) for you to experiment with in order to individualise your project - essential if you decide you want to adapt your own ideas. We only supply top quality branded materials, equipment, skeins or spools, purchased from reputable suppliers in order to safeguard from disappointing results - Anchor, DMC, James Hare and Prym, to name a few…
By creating Stitch Arena for you, we hope that those of you who enjoy learning will be inspired to share your enthusiasm with us. We would like to develop a gallery where we can showcase some of your work – so get in touch and send us some of your pictures!
Registration
This is also the intial part of the Subscription process, though you do not have to continue onto the Subscription pages as the site will hold your registration details only, until we hear otherwise.
Subscription
There is just one annual subscription of £19.75 that allows you access to the whole site. Upon receipt of payment, you will be given a personal pass code to allow access to the Stitch Arena and its contents. More details can be found in the Terms and Conditions.
Who are we?
The co-founders of Stitch Arena are Sally and Martin McCollin.
Sally has always been creative and very crafts-orientated, having been taught to stitch at a very young age. These skills developed further with printing, dyeing and colouring techniques whilst at sixth-form school and Art College.
Sally has worked in the handicrafts industry since leaving College back in the ‘eighties. Having worked for Knitmaster and also taught machine-knitting, Sally then moved to Coats Crafts UK (then called Patons and Baldwins Ltd) where she worked on the Patons and Jaeger hand-knitting ranges.
In the ‘nineties, she transferred to their "Design and PR" section to promote their range of products through editorials and promotional materials, which is where she broadened her crafts skills.
During this time, she was given the position of Senior Editor of www.coatscrafts.co.uk which is how she discovered a new interest in digital technology. This led her to study Multimedia, Web Authoring and Digital Image Manipulation at Teesside University’s School of Computing and Mathematics.
After leaving Coats Crafts UK in 2001 to concentrate more on her teaching at Middlesbrough College and workshops, she still continues with freelance designing, producing work for various publishers, spinners and suppliers.
Whilst Sally works on the more visual side of Stitch Arena alongside her teaching, project work and editorial features, Martin, who has a background in finance and is a keen photographer, is controlling the business side of things ensuring the smooth running of the web site with his usual methodical precision.
Where are we?
At present, we do not have a public shop or workshop area, so if you need to get in touch with us, please see our Contact page or scroll down to our details at the end of this page.
We are currently based in a very small cottage deep in the heart of Teesdale surrounded by breath-taking scenery and inspiring landcapes - many of the images in the Photo Album were taken whilst out and about in the dale.
Working from home, we are slowly but surely getting overwhelmed by the Stockroom! Hence, we are looking to move to larger premises. They're just a bit hard to find around here…
You can find more of Sally's work in many magazines and web sites such as Classic Stitches, My Weekly, Peoples Friend, Colinette Yarns and Stitch with the Embroiderers’ Guild.
Contact details
Mail: Stitch Arena, Bligh Cottage, Romaldkirk, County Durham, DL12 9EE United Kingdom:
Telephone: +44 (0)1833 650833