Stitch Colour Cloth is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who enthusiastically give their time to ensure the organisation remains vibrant, inclusive and reflects the diversity of the contemporary textile world.
We actively encourage members to join us and as as you’ll see below, we welcome newer members to be part of the committee.
To get to know a little more about us, we also each answered 3 questions: What’s the best film or music to stitch to? What’s your favourite stitch? What have you tried once and will never do again?
Chairwoman
Ali Currie.
Ali was a founding member of Stitch Colour Cloth, joining the committee initially as programme secretary, taking on the role of membership secretary in 2023 and Chairwoman in 2025.
Best music/film for stitching: Sound of the ocean. That’s a bit aspirational since I live about as far as possible from the coast!
Favourite stitch: Turkey Rug Stitch – love me a bit of texture
Once tried, never again: Macrame closely followed by crochet – can’t get my head around working knots!
Deputy Chair
Susan Cooney.
Susan joined the committee in 2021 as secretary soon after the group formed and steered the group through the challenges of online meetings during Covid. She handed over the role in 2025 to support Ali as Deputy Chair.
Best music/film for stitching: My Rock n Chill playlist, includes a bit of Nirvana, Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Eddie Vedder.
Favourite stitch: So hard to choose just one…, I do like trellis stitch and use seed stitch a lot
Once tried, never again: Needle felting – ouch!
Secretary
Joanne Mills
Jo has been a member of Stitch Colour Cloth since 2023, she joined the committee as secretary in 2025.
Best music/film for stitching: I generally listen to Radio 4 plays, although I did have Kung Fu Panda once on repeat whilst rather quickly making a duffle coat with a quilted lining for my daughter for Christmas. Myself and the Panda seemed set by adversity but both managed to triumph!
Favourite stitch: Couching or fly stitch
Once tried, never again: Traditional offset litho printing. I found this rather messy and somewhat time consuming for minimal results as far as my efforts were concerned.
Treasurer
Claire MacPherson
Claire joined STITCH colour Cloth in 2023 and the committee as a general member in 2024, taking over the treasurer role in 2025
Best music/film for stitching: My favourite media to stitch to are audiobooks. I love to read and so this gives me the best of both worlds. I can only stitch or knit to certain types of audiobooks though, as my mind can wander if the story is too convoluted. Historical fiction and thrillers work pretty well.
Favourite stitch: The good old French knot. I like the texture it brings.
Once tried, never again: I will try most things once, but I don’t plan on making another superking-sized quilt – it was like wrestling the Michelin man and took forever to complete.
Programme Secretary
Caron Ironside.
Caron became a member of Stitch Colour Cloth in 2022, joining the committee the following year as a general member and as Programme Secretary in 2024.
Best music/film for stitching: Not a film, but Gogglebox is perfect background tv, or alternatively a good audio book is perfect!
Favourite stitch: Has to be a french knot, or maybe couching – hard to choose!
Once tried, never again: Probably wet felting!
Membership Secretary
Merle Palmer.
Merle joined Stitch Colour Cloth in 2023, and became a general committee member the following year. She took on the role of membership secretary in 2025.
Best music/film for stitching: Depends what I’m stitching, definitely music not TV. Birdsong if I’m sewing outside.
Favourite stitch: Difficult to choose . I do like a French knot and Turkey stitch comes close second.
Once tried, never again: Needle felting, too dangerous!
Website Designer & Librarian
Marieke Dickie.
Marieke joined the committee soon after the launch of Stitch Colour Cloth, designed the website and provides us with technical support skills. She took on the role of managing the library in 2025.
Best music/film for stitching: Great British Bake Off, Great Pottery Throwdown, Great British Sewing Bee or any related amateur competition show on BBC and Channel 4.
Favourite stitch: Difficult to choose, but I have a soft sport for Bullion knots and French knots.
Once tried, never again: Crochet – the needle is a hook?! That’s weird.
Founding member and financial consultant
Alison Ellett.
Alison was a founding member of the group and treasurer until 2024.
Best music/film for stitching: I’m rather partial to a police procedural for stitching to. Something I can just listen to rather than look at.
Favourite stitch: Colonial Knot is awesome! Thank you to the RSN Stitchbank for helping me master it.
Once tried, never again: Shuttle tatting. Ugh! Basically an exercise in tying your hands together.
General Member with responsibility for events
Jill Simpson
Jill joined the committee in 2025 two years after becoming a member. She supports the rest of the committee and is responsible for planning and co-ordinating events including the very important Christmas lunch.
Best music/film for stitching: I’m not a great one for films or music. I love sitting with the doors open listening to the birds in my garden
Favourite stitch: Needle weaving stitch. I enjoy creating different leaves and flowers.
Once tried, never again: Knitting
General Member
Susan Berry
Susan joined Stitch Colour Cloth in 2023 and the committee in 2025 providing support to other committee members and helping with our social media
Best music/film for stitching: I don’t generally stitch watching films, but occasionally listen to music which would be U2, Stereophonics, Oasis
Favourite stitch: I don’t really have a favourite stitch. I am not an experienced stitcher but am taking inspiration from others in the group and from the workshops to try new stitches and small projects.
Once tried, never again: Needle felting