Reviews…

‘Thank you Ailish, It was, indeed, a very nourishing session.  It’s good to talk through things with someone who shares the same inspirational values. Thanks again for the signposting to artists, books, stitches, all of which I will take on board, as well as your sound advice.’ - Jude (January 2026)

‘I really enjoyed the 4 week Introduction to Textile Art course with Ailish at the Biscuit Factory (Newcastle Upon Tyne) . What I liked most was how freeing it was - Ailish created the conditions (and supplied the materials) so that each individual could find their own path. Ailish was on hand to provide expert guidance and inspiration but she gave us all the confidence to improvise and be spontaneous. It was so inspiring to see what other people made. And it was also very restoring to set the week's concerns aside and spend a couple of hours being creative together. It was a wonderful introduction to textile arts and I am keen to do more - both at home and through future workshops.’ - Rachel (February 2024)

‘Thank you for the collage course you led at the Biscuit Factory yesterday. As I said, I really enjoyed it. I carried on and finished my collage last night and attached is the end result. It is a far cry from your beautiful, delicate portraits, but it is an image of my sister-in-law Trish which makes me feel happy! Thank you too for introducing me to khadi paper which I found brilliant to work on. I have already ordered some.’ - Claire (2023)

‘For me this has been just perfect, so inspiring. I am looking forward to doing what comes next and I've ordered your book too!  Thanks so much :)’ - Sue (February 2025)

‘Thank you!  This has been a fab session which I’m taking so much from… very timely too as spending a lot of time with self-portraits and weaving together lots of stuff - Penny (February 2025)’

‘Thank you Ailish, really enjoyed it. I ordered your book last week so cant wait to read it.’ - Sam (February 2025)

‘I really enjoyed the approach of using scrap material to create a mixed media collage. Ailish has a calming aura which helped me relax into the session and not become too precious about what I was doing. I was able to play without worrying too much about the end result; after all I could remove or cover anything I didn’t like. At the end of the session, I came away with more confidence in my ability with mixed media collage and even impressed myself with what I had achieved!’ - Amanda, workshop 2023 attendee.‘I undertook a workshop recently with Ailish Henderson. Under her expert guidance I have realised my dream of creating portraits in stitched form but in a totally different way. Her free approach and relaxed manner encourages experimentation and her 'no rules approach' ensures individuality and pushes the student to a level not thought possible. A totally wonderful experience . I want to do more!' - (Rosalind, Stitch Club Member)

‘Excellent tutor, fabulous workshop’ (Anon. Student at The Knitting and Stitching Show, Harrogate 2018)

‘Ailish is an inspiration.  My daughter is a bit younger than Ailish and not interested in Textiles or Art.  However hearing Ailish's talk 'From Stories to Stitch' has given me hope that she too may one day take up Art!  It is so refreshing to meet a young Artist’  (Alnwick Embroiders' Guild Member. 2015)

‘Ailish gave us a graphic outline of her life, relevant to her artwork...She brought along her stitched cake, which is an amazing creation demonstrating all her many skills...intricate and inspirational’  (Report by Linda Pepper, Border Textile Group.  October 2015)

‘I just wanted to say thank you so much for Saturday.  Both Oona and I had a great day.  Also many thanks for talking to the bairn and sparing the time to look through her sketchbook -  after mixed advice from school, she took the plunge to go with her own instincts and do the work the way she wanted to,  but of course there is always the worry that she wasn’t doing it right.  So, as she said, having a professional artist say her work was good has given her the confidence to continue…look forward to your next workshop’ (Kay, Cumbria, 2019)

‘It was a great pleasure to make the images. And listen: before your workshop I said to myself, you never can make a portrait! I had so much fun, it makes me still smiling’ (Joekie Blom - Textile Artist Stitch Club participant - hosted workshop by A.Henderson)

‘I would never have attempted to do a portrait, but your workshop presented a feeling of a portrait rather than a realistic representation. This inspired me to have a go, and I found I loved it. I did 5 portraits that week. Thanks for showing me this technique.’ (Joy Cicchini - Textile Artist Stitch Club participant - hosted workshop by A.Henderson)

‘You presented such a great challenge. Portraits are a real stretch for me, and the workshops that force me to take risks as an artist are my favourites. Thank you so much.’ - (Alison Taylor. Textile Artist Stitch Club participant - hosted workshop by A.Henderson)