I design and make contemporary textile pictures, I enjoy experimenting with bright colours and am especially inspired by using the colours of the rainbow and the transition from black to white as the results are very striking. I sew sequins, beads and buttons on by hand to create texture and detail to my work as they draw the onlooker into the picture by producing a 3D effect. Many of the beads and sequins can only be seen when you are very close to the picture or light is reflected off them as they blend into the colour of the fabric they are sewn on I am fascinated by geometric patterns and straight lines as they create a sense of order and structure. Many of my pictures are a modern twist to traditional patchwork designs and which date back over a hundred years and have specific names/titles and meanings, eg ‘Trip Around the World'. 

I studied civil engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Technology Degree. In September 2004 I gave up a successful ten-year career in the construction industry to pursue my creative ambitions and passion for colour, bold design and textiles to start my own interior design business specialising in made-to-measure hand-sewn curtains and soft furnishings.

Since a child I have always loved sewing and especially making patchwork quilts, I like arranging different colours and patterns of fabric in various shapes and sizes to create an overall geometric design. I started my first patchwork quilt in 1983, when I was nine years old, as I wanted to copy my Mum who was making patchwork cushions using hexagons and I wanted to do some patchwork too. At the time I was mad about Laura Ashley and loved the fabrics, wallpapers and spent hours looking through the catalogue. I bought 10 cm strips of fabric mainly from the sale section, as my pocket money did not stretch very far. Most of the fabrics I used to make the quilt are now discontinued. As I covered and tacked the fabric to the 9 cm cereal packet squares, I would search through the catalogue and write the name of the fabric on the cardboard. I finished the patchwork when it was large enough to make into a single quilt cover, 294 squares. I did this just before going to university; my Mum then joined the front and back together and added poppers. I then used this quilt (duvet) cover all the years I was at university.

Since leaving university I have made many quilts for my family and friends to celebrate a variety of special occasions. In 2000, one of my sisters got married and I made her wedding dress.

Sam Burnish