L’Atelier Textiles.

Sheila Francis retired to Jersey in 1989 after a teaching career in the UK . She set up her own studio a year later producing textile artifacts using a wide variety of embroidery, hand and machine stitching and involving the use of dyes and fabric paints.

Sheila’s expertise has meant she has been called onto run small studio workshops and courses for local guilds, clubs and schools. She has also given talks and demonstrations and worked on several commissioned pieces.

Her work is chiefly sold through the Harbour Gallery in St Aubin’s and at events held at the Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society. She is also a regular face at the St Aubin’s Farmers and Craft Markets held on a regular basis during the summer months.

A number of Sheila’s quilted and machine embroidered bags involve the use of shells gathered on Jersey beaches and she regularly uses local plants for producing dyes. This year Sheila plans to make a number of felt items to make use of the growing number of sheep fleeces on the Island .