Anne Nixon

I have lived in Machynlleth, Wales since 1978 about 48 years. My family’s roots are in Oxfordshire and after I left school I went to first to Art School for 2 years then moved to Birmingham to study Art & Design at Teacher Training College.

While still at school I was (attempting!) to sew 60s fashion for me and my friends on my mother’s Singer (which I still have) and then while at college in Birmingham I bought a Frister Rossman sewing machine and it was a faithful friend for many years. This machine was perfect for applique and satin stitch finishing and so began my lifelong interest in textiles.

After leaving college I started work in London at the beginning of the 70s and then moved around the UK. Life changed with my first child and I wanted to sew on a more commercial scale, so I bought a very old second hand industrial sewing machine. It dates from the 1930s and still sews like a dream- perfect tension and very fast!

When I moved to Machynlleth I had 2 sewing machines and I now have over 7 working machines and several retired ones. Late 70s I worked at the Laura Ashley factory and then later at Walters factory – learning essential shortcuts to working at speed. At the same time I sewed late at night to begin my own business. I made children’s clothes, toys and various bags and sold them at people’s houses – rather like fabric Tupperware! Throughout the past decades I have always sewn and nearly always at night – after work and after children in bed!

I started my shop – Miscellannea in 1995, 32 years ago. Although originally a kitchen/housewares shop I now concentrate mostly on picture framing. I have made many items for sale including bags and storage containers of all kinds. I work in fabric and paper and love making cupboards and boxes with cardboard.

Contact Anne

Now, I just want to concentrate on creating textile art. I have been freemotion sewing for many years and entering the Machynlleth Tabernacle summer competition has been life changing. Each year Moma sets a theme and I love the process leading to a finished textile and seeing it displayed in the gallery. I have had other pieces displayed in other exhibitions. I used a Brother Innovis for many years but now have an old Bernina which is absolutely perfect for freemotion, it is my drawing tool.

I design and print all the greetings cards in my shop so over the years I have drawn, painted, collaged and sewn hundreds of different images. If a customer wants penguins or a vintage Fergie tractor or their house, then I create it.

My shop is now mostly picture framing and mount making. I make mounts and provide frames for many local artists and helped with many exhibitions. This skill comes in very handy for my own finished artworks.

My dream has always been the same – to be a textile artist … painting with fabric and drawing with a needle!