She is the owner of "Amberlane & Amberpetites" and the former Designer and V.P. at "Grace L. Knott Smocking Ltd." She has been a member of SAGA since 1984 and Breast Cancer Survivor since 2006.
Judith has taught smocking and heirloom sewing for well over thirty 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, Sew Beautiful, and she is a frequent contributor to "A Needle Pulling Thread". Her smocking patterns for women, children, babies, and dolls usually feature heirloom versions or adaptations to appeal to a wider market. She has written two books: "Interlace in Lace", using French Val 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 taught 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 Festival”. From 2002 to 2022 Judith was an approved SAGA teacher and enjoyed teaching and meeting women from all over the world 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 working as a retail manager in fashion, 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 the company, "A Garden of Smocking Designs". It soon developed into a teaching-based business. A web site was created, and she began to develop her own line of patterns under the label, Amberlane & Amberpetites. “The Grace L. Knott Smocking Supplies Company” closed in 2015 but Amberlane & Amberpetites is going strong!
In 2016 Judith and her husband sold their cottage in the Kawartha Lakes and home in Newmarket to move to the Ottawa area. Being closer to their little grandchildren has proven to be a very good move. Babies change and grow so fast and now Judith has two little girls for inspiration!! She continues to teach so check out her classes.
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.
Associations / Organizations
Embroiderers' Association of Canada Inc.
SAGA - Smocking Arts Guild of America
Embroiderers' Association of Canada Inc.
SAGA - Smocking Arts Guild of America