Southern Africa had a considerable influence on Sue’s creativity. She was born in Zambia and then educated in South Africa. She is still influenced by the energy and color of traditional African designs. Later Sue moved to England; this shift between two very different environments also inspires many of her designs. All these early experiences combined to stir her love of “primitive” arts and crafts and grew into a focus on contemporary folk-art.

The United States had always beckoned and in 1989 that dream was fulfilled. Sue moved to Connecticut and subsequently to Tennessee, Utah and Ohio. Each new state presented sharp contrasts and stirred more new ideas. With each move she was influenced by many wonderful, quilt enthusiasts.

Sue now works in three related areas:

DESIGN

Africa has a considerable impact on Sue’s designs. Apart from these influences Sue

regularly teaches nationally and internationally. It is here where she challenges herself to develop new techniques by playing with fibers and threads. In 2014 thirty pieces of Sue’s work were exhibited in the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum in La Conner, Washington, and in 2017 she had a exhibition of her quilts at the International Quilt Festival in Houston.

WORKSHOPS AND RETREATS

Sue’s greatest satisfaction comes from running workshops and retreats. She has led workshops across the USA and in Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Italy, New Zealand and France. She teaches a specific design or week-long retreat focused on embellishment. Sue delivers illustrated presentations about her creative process.

BOOKS AND PATTERNS

All Sue’s current designs are available as books or patterns. Her first technique book, Creative Stitching, was published in 2012 followed by Creative Texturing in 2014.

Sue’s other absorbing passions include being with the four strong and fulfilling personalities that are her children, tending her garden and traveling to new and exciting destinations.

You may reach Sue at Sue@suespargo.com