Jan is a very experienced lace maker and textile artist. She is a fully qualified teacher (B.Ed Hons) and considers herself an educator first and bobbin lace maker and textile artist second.

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"I thoroughly enjoy teaching.  I get a buzz watching my students develop skills, techniques and their confidence in my classes." Jan

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Jan started bobbin lacemaking in March 1980 and has been hooked ever since. She was taught Bobbin Lacemaking by the legendary tutors Miss E. Dawson of Speen and Margaret Tite. She was commissioned by the Crowood Press in 2008 to write 'Torchon Lace Making A step by step guide' which was published in 2010, reprinted many times and sold over 4,000 copies to date.

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Jan became hooked on textiles in 1983 at Fareham Adult Education Centre. She subsequently passed her City & Guilds Creative Studies in Embroidery Skills and preparing Working Designs, parts 1 & 2, finishing in 1994. She is a founder member of FIMBRIA, a textile group set up by students on the same course.

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Jan has combined her bobbin lace and textile work by creating 'LETEXIST'. Jan has recently changed this to 

'Contemporary Lace Textiles'.

 These are innovative pieces of bobbin lace used within her textile work. Jan is determined to demonstrate that Bobbin Lace making does not have to remain stuck in the past. She adores making traditional bobbin Lace but feels that we also need to take the craft very much into the 21st Century. It is also an opportunity for textile enthusiasts to include contemporary lace within their work.

 

Jan belongs to the Lace Guild and to OIDFA and is passionate about encouraging lace makers to support these organisations. 

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Jan has taught both Bobbin Lacemaking and Creative Textiles for many centres of adult education, including locally Portsmouth University, Fareham  College &  Portsmouth College as well as nationally West Dean College, Missenden School of Creative Arts and Urchfont Manor.

Jan has also taught short courses for the Lace Guild and embroidery groups as well as giving talks.

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The pronunciation of TREGIDGO 

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TREE - GIDG -(as in Bridge, with a hard G to start) - OH

Tregidgo is a Cornish name.