Always keen on crafts, the Glasgow-based graphic designer signed up for an evening course when she wanted to learn new techniques in sewing and embroidery.
That thread of an idea was transformed into colourful cushions made with vintage tweeds and fabrics that Katherine now sells at craft fairs around Scotland and online to the wider world, and a link with a Harris Tweed weaver in the Western Isles.
The proprietor of Canny Squirrel, a nod to her magpie-like love of amassing beautiful fabrics and her roots in Newcastle, now concentrates on new designs and fulfilling orders from her workshop in Glasgow.
“I have a shop page on the website where I offer stock cushions in a range of fabrics and designs, and I do commissions,” she explains.
“Most of my work is on commissions so every one is different.
“People e-mail photos of their dogs or cats – or cows: I was sent a pic of a belted Galloway cow to do recently – and I get to work.
“The first cushion I made was for a present and had a Highland cow on it and that’s when the animal theme started. I love tweed material and animals so why not combine the two?”
Inquisitive Highland cows, cute Scottish terriers and elegant stags feature on the cushions that line the shelves of her workshop, alongside piles of fabric and the softest tweeds in a rainbow of colours from earthy browns and sludgy greys to bright oranges and pinks.
When she set up at first, Katherine sourced fabric online. A trip to Harris earlier this year forged a working relationship with weaver Donald John MacKay, who also supplies to Nike and Clarks shoes.
It means she can now sew the all-important Harris Tweed orb trademark label onto all her cushions made with the fabric.
“I was buying vintage fabrics online but didn’t have any quality control and thought it would be a better idea if I had stock fabrics.
“I thought if I could find some Harris Tweed that would be ideal.
“I’ve been to the Outer Hebrides quite a few times and when I was there in March I met Donald John MacKay in Luskentyre. He works in a shed beside his house, he only has one loom and does it all himself.
“One of the things I like about using Harris Tweed is the fact that it is also handmade and I know the person who is making the fabric which means it is more personal and bespoke. The colours are rich, complex and natural, so compliment my animal designs well.”
Each cushion is beautifully handmade and Katherine usually asks customers to expect delivery within two weeks.
First she cuts out the felt in the animal shape, then irons it on to the tweed.
Her sewing machine has a special embroidery foot and she draws with it, using the picture for reference and painstakingly sewing lines of embroidered stitches that give the foxes, puffins, hedgehogs, cats and dogs their features.
It is worth pointing out that she does all the sewing herself, there are no computerised programmes that do all the work in this operation. When you buy a handmade item, every stitch has been made by Katherine.
Old and new traditions meet in her latest line of iPad covers and she has recently designed stylish clutch bags and whimsical shoulder bags with a trademark animal embroidered on the front.
A new range of cushions continues the Scottish theme with intricately embroidered thistles gracing the tweed background.
Prices for Harris Tweed cushions start from £60, or £45 for other fabrics. The iPad cases cost £32, and budget-friendly tweed and button brooches are just £8.
Katherine will be at the Glasgow Artist Studios residents’ exhibition at 1226 Govan Road from November 30 to December 8 and the craft fair at Cushion Cake, 35 Old Dumbarton Road, Yorkhill, on November 28.
Shops that stock her work are The Barony Centre, 50 Main Street, West Kilbride and Pippin, 30 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh.
Alternatively, visit www.thecannysquirrel.co.uk to see the range and place an order.
angela.mcmanus@eveningtimes.co.uk
Stitch ahead in new career
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