Judith Marquis is well known as a designer, author and teacher of smocking and heirloom sewing throughout Canada and the United States.
She is the owner of "Amberlane & Amberpetites" and the Designer and V.P. at "Grace L. Knott Smocking Ltd." She has been a member of SAGA since 1984. She was a member of the CPSA during its six years.
Judith has taught smocking and heirloom sewing for over twenty years and is also accomplished in silk ribbon embroidery and needle tatting. Her work has been published in Chatelaine, Crafts Plus, Canadian Living, SAGA News, Creative Needle and Sew Beautiful. Her work was featured in the newest Canadian needle work magazine, "A Needle Pulling Thread", in its launch issue. She designs both for children and women and has written two books: "Interlace in Lace", using lace insertion to shape designs inspired by Celtic art; and "Monograms & Flowers", in which monograms are shaped in French Val lace and decorated with silk ribbon embroidered birth month flowers.
Judith has served on the faculty of three community colleges and delighted students at Bernina University, Elna Retreats, Husqvarna's (Viking) Canada Sews and the Pfaff Academy as well as the Canadian Home Sewing Association, The Creative Sewing & Needlework Festival's "The Conference" and “The Creative Feastival”. In 2002 she taught for the first time for SAGA at the Nation Convention in Philadelphia and she continues to do so, Norfolk, VA being the most recent location. She enjoys traveling to teach for guild chapters and shops across North America, meeting people who love to stitch.
Judith has experience in many facets of the business world from working as an assistant buyer for a chain of 22 lingerie shops, to a division manager of two fashion departments in a national chain, to selling sewing machines, to custom dressmaking, to working as a wholesale textile and pattern representative for nearly twenty years.
Amberlane and Amberpetites began in 1983 with the smocking of garments for sale on consignment basis and sample making for "A Garden of Smocking Designs". It soon developed into a teaching based business and the need for a web site has come from the requests of her students for information about her classes. Now you can see her classes in a handy calendar format when they are booked and posted. If you wish to have Judith come to teach at a shop or guild in your area, please contact her about details.
Judith's work with Grace L. Knott Smocking Supplies Ltd. involved the update and revision of the original patterns, often adding new views and/or heirloom views while maintaining the integrity of Grace's original work.
She is currently concentrating on her own line of patterns under the label, Amberlane & Amberpetites. Visit the Atelier to see all the patterns she has designed for both labels along with the books, primers and leaflets she has written. And, there is more to come!!
In September 2006 Judith opened 'The Wardrobe' in a brand new knitting shop, Serenity Knits, in Newmarket, Ontario. The shop was an instant success and soon in need of every inch of space for its expanding inventory. After surgery for breast cancer that Oct, Judith chose to bring the business into her home to better serve her customers. She now has more freedom to teach and design new patterns. You can visit ‘The Wardrobe’ for smocking and heirloom supplies by appointment, book private classes or a consultation, or take a group class.
Bookmark this site as great new things are on their way.
Smocking is her passion - heirloom is her love. Colour, good design and accuracy are the focus in her classes. Let Judith inspire you to create beautiful things
