“I drive a sewing machine like an Aston Martin” – so says Louise Gardiner, whose stunning new contemporary embroidery exhibition will be the first event to be held in the exciting new gallery space at Quarry Bank Mill.

Louise, an established international embroidery artist and 'Superstitcher', comes from Styal – the original mill village built by Quarry Bank ‘s founder, Samuel Greg.

Following an exciting six-month international trip as an artist to the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and India, Louise has now returned to establish her studio in her home village and to ‘find the thread’ again through developing her creative practice and promoting contemporary embroidery as an exciting and modern art form.

“I have known and visited Quarry Bank Mill all my life’ says Louise. “ It’s textile heritage is amazing and I’m delighted to be able to link in with and continue the tradition in the new gallery space”.

Louise’s energetic personality and talent was recognised when she was commissioned by Liberty to produce a 2m quilt for their flagship store on Regent Street in London.

She has also appeared on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Woman’s Hour’ with Jenny Murray, and last year on Channel Four where she gave Kirstie Allsopp a master class in drawing with stitch in the series 'Kirstie's Homemade Home'

“ I believe everyone is bursting with creative potential – and I want to challenge people’s traditional conception of embroidery as a ‘safe and wholesome pastime’ by using unusual thread and materials to make my designs” says Louise.

“ I use materials such as leather and bike reflective fabrics which give fantastic textures and colours to my work. Embroidery is an exciting, rich and contemporary art-form, and I hope lots of people will come to ‘Losing The Thread’ to see for themselves what can be achieved”.

Louise’s unique and artistic approach to stitch work began at Goldsmith’s College in London, followed by an MA at Manchester Metropolitan University in Illustration.

She has worked as full-time professional artist and illustrator for over 15 years During this time, Louise has taught the art of contemporary embroidery to students of all ages and abilities at venue across the UK and abroad and has exhibited widely at events such as The Jersey Textile Showcase 2010, the RWA Bristol as part of ‘The Art of Stitch’ 2007 and at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, 2008 – 2010..

“Returning home to work, and being able to exhibit at Quarry Bank Mill has made me want to produce something unique” says Louise. “ I want to celebrate my own heritage and combine it with the experiences I gained whilst abroad, so I’m going to be experimenting with new techniques that challenge both the sewing machine and the use of thread to their limits”.

Eleanor Underhill, Quarry Bank Mill’s general manager is looking forward to the new exhibition. “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Louise and her exhibition to the Mill” says Eleanor.

“ It’s wonderful to host such a talented, local artist in our new gallery space here which will show off Louise’s fantastic designs.

“Samuel Greg who founded Quarry Bank Mill was very much an entrepreneur of his day, pushing back the boundaries, challenging traditional concepts and looking for new ways to develop industrial practices. If he were to come back today I’m sure he’d be thrilled to see that the long tradition of creating textiles at his mill is continuing – albeit in a totally new and vibrant way!”

Louise will be giving a talk about the exhibition: ‘Labour of Love’ will take place at the Mill on Wednesday, May 18 at 7pm.

For tickets, £9, call 01625 445845. She will also be holding embroidery workshops 16 – 18 May, 6 – 8 June and 22 – 24 August.

For details visit Louise’s website at www.lougardiner.co.uk

‘Losing the Thread’ is open until September 11 daily at Quarry Bank Mill. For further information call the Infoline on 01625 445896.

Louise Gardiner’s work will be for sale.