Jessie Chorley established her artistic embroidery practice in 2005 after graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Textile Practice at Goldsmiths College, London. Today Jessie is a successful artist, author, designer and tutor in demand around the world.
The creative way of life Jessie celebrates as an artist – her hands-on approach to and appreciation of slow crafts – were handed down through a family circle of artists, friends and craftspeople during her childhood in rural North Wales.
Jessie’s work is instantly recognisable. Her signature drawing style lies at the heart of both her design work and artistic practice. She has spent decades exploring the possibilities of mark-making and embroidery through hand stitch and appliqué. Combined with traditional quilting methods, in her hands these honest, timeless techniques are transformed into expressive visual stories, always created with artefacts from her collection of timeworn fabrics and textile ephemera.
It is surprising then to learn that Jessie adheres religiously to a limited palette of only six simple stitches: straight, running, satin, cross, seed and back stitch – along with couching (where one thread secures another), darning techniques, appliqué and reverse appliqué. Likewise, there’s a cohort of preferred colours she likes to work with; ruby red being a symbolic favourite.
The resulting artworks vary hugely in size. Some measure two or three metres, forming elaborate scenes with symbols and imagery that have come to signify Jessie’s singular visual vocabulary. Others are smaller, such as her highly sought-after miniature embroideries, collected by people at home and overseas. Her slow-stitch kits, templates and projects, which share the same distinctive drawing style, are sold worldwide via her online shop.
Embroidery is a way of life for Jessie. Stitching is a daily ritual, forming a rhythm of creativity that underpins everything she touches. There is little separation between the maker, her work, her life or her teaching.
Her South London studio is both a private making space-workshop as well as home to her archive and online shop. Jessie delivers her masterclasseshere, including her ever-evolving ‘Stories in Stitch’ class, as well as teaching at venues in the UK and abroad.
In 2025, Jessie exhibited a major new body of work at Ruthin Craft Centre in North Wales, and Thames-Side Gallery, London, and she continues to produce new works for upcoming exhibitions.
Jessie regularly and warmly welcomes visitors to her London studio, but please always make an appointment in advance.
