At school I always wanted to study textiles, I was a bright, creative active pupil I spent many hours drawing, designing and making clothes using my favourite Laura Ashley fabrics. I loved the outdoor life and was encouraged to study Landscape Design. It was a very creative course and I learnt how to design. I continue to learn more. The world of work as a landscape Architect seemed to be all about drainage and finance.

I joined the Embroiderers Guild and enrolled on a City and Guilds Embroidery course.

I began teaching and gained a PGCE. Looking back, it was hard, but I had found a career that I loved. I taught at Huddersfield Technical College for many years until all funding for City and Guilds classes were withdrawn and in 2006 I was made redundant.

I started running classes from my studio at home and realized that I needed to make quilts for exhibition (not just teaching samples) and started entering my work in exhibitions and competitions. To my surprise, I won a few prizes and my work was accepted into juried exhibitions.

In 2007 I joined the Contemporary Quilt Group and started to make Journal Quilts. I have been making one a month since then and currently have at least 120.

I receive invitations to exhibit my quilts all over the world and have exhibited and taught in France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Czech Republic, Canada and South Africa.

It’s an exciting life!

Arrive to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive - day or night. 

There is no programme on Arrivals Day - our guests come from all over the world.

Sightseeing Delhi and gently easing our way into India. 

Lakshmi Narayan Temple- you always visit the Gods before a new undertaking and this temple, built by the Industrialist Birla in the 1930’s has a lovely feel. To the left of the main temple is a small description of the significance of the sacred swastika, it is an important Hindu symbol which is good to grasp at the outset as you see it everywhere and it can be a shock for Westerners (and the true depth of perversion of the Nazi’s use of it can be understood).

Raj Ghat- to pay our respects at the cremation site of Gandhi, the beloved hero of India. xx  

And a chance for people watching.

National Craft Museum – fabulous collection to enjoy and be inspired by.

In the afternoon we will convene with Gillian to get started on our Travel Journals.

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We’ll hop on our bus early and head for Mandawa, right in the heart of Shekhawati. 

Once an important stop on the Indian branch of the Silk Road, this desert region was home to some of the richest merchants in the country. What remains today are extraordinary towns filled with crumbling, beautifully painted mansions - absolute treasures to wander through. 

Tonight, we stay in a castle from the days when marauders once passed this way… a perfect setting for a little adventure!

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Poking around a few more mansions in Shekawati we are headed to Jodhpur today.

We stay right near the Clock Tower Market - well known for second hand clothes and bangles.

Our rooftop has a fabulous view of Meherangarh Fort and is a great place to work with Gillian in the afternoon.

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We’ll start the morning with a visit to Mehrangarh Fort. 

Built around 1460 and one of India’s largest forts, it feels straight out of a fairy tale. 

You can still see cannonball impressions on the bastions, and remarkably, it has never been breached  or captured by force.

Then it’s on to Pushkar, the holy city mentioned in the opening pages of the Ramayana. 

We’ll enjoy some peaceful garden workshop time with Gillian before answering the call of the market and heading out to explore. 

Dinner will be in one of the lovely cafés overlooking the Holy Lake - always a treat.

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This morning we will visit the Stiching Project to enjoy a blockprint workshop with the blocsk you designed and we had carved for you. Don't forget to collect your block to take home with you!

Then in the afternoon we will head to Jaipur.

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This morning we will head out to Bagru Village, long famous for its indigo textiles. 

We will take a workshop to use mud as a resit and print cloth that we will then dip into indigo.

Free afternoon to deep dive into the markets of Jaipur.

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We’re staying in a wonderfully restored fort tonight, but on the way we’ll stop at the beautiful Anokhi Blockprint Museum and the Escher-esque Panna Meena ka Kund, a 16th-century stepwell that’s an absolute gem. 

Once we’ve settled into our fort, there’s time for a refreshing dip before an afternoon session with Gillian on the terrace. 

Then we can simply relax and soak up the magical lights and atmosphere of our incredible home for the night.

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Late check out this morning and a final session with Gillian, make sure you take time to sip chai in the garden too, then we head up to Delhi.

Farewell Dinner - let's share a dinner together and celebrate new friendships, a stimulating workshop and travels through exotic Rajasthani India.

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Departures from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India

We'll drop you to your flight any time night or day.

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Materials List

Pencil, sharpener

Large scissors

Small scissors

To be announced.

Physical Fitness for Sightseeing 

This adventure is crafted for enthusiastic, active travellers with a good general level of health and mobility.

To make the most of your experience, you’ll need to be comfortable walking for 3–4 hours a day - sometimes over uneven ground, up hills, and climbing a few flights of stairs.

You may also find yourself getting in and out of local transport and navigating the occasional over-the-bath shower.

If you enjoy a bit of daily movement and love discovering new places on foot, you’ll thrive on this tour.

Just a friendly heads-up: we need to walk at an average pace - it will not be suitable for those who prefer a slow pace or need frequent rest stops.