My grandfather was a tailor and my father an industrial designer. Art materials were always available at home, and I enjoyed making clothes and producing fashion illustrations. After A levels and completing a foundation course, I went to Manchester Metropolitan University (formerly Polytechnic) gaining a 1st class Honours degree in Textiles/Fashion, with main area of study in Embroidery. As a qualified Adult & F.E. teacher, I taught on the C & G Embroidery course at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire. In later life I completed the Designer Craftsman course where my research into painted floorcloths extended my working materials.