September Spotlight: Jan Raes – Textile Artist

Jan has lived in Kent all her life and moved to Sandwich ten years ago. She volunteers for a local charity shop, has until recently been a bellringer at St. Clement’s Church, and is a keen bowler at Sandwich Bowls Club.

Her interest in textiles and textural works using thread and colour began at school during needlework classes. This passion was reignited some 60 years later while working in the Sue Ryder charity shop. There, she rescued unsuitable donated clothing items, including cashmere, wool, and fleece, which she washed and upcycled into rag rugs.

She uses the same methods employed by her late mother, who had learned the practical craft as a child, and by the Victorians before her who used rag rugs to adorn their homes.

More recently, Jan has rediscovered her love of embroidery, making use of the remnants of wool and silk embroidery threads she has accumulated over the years.

She works in a loose, painterly style rather than using fine embroidery stitches, an approach that gives her a sense of freedom and allows for creativity without rules.

Her embroidery bird collection is especially stunning.

I’m very pleased with my goldfinches and also the Blue Tits – they make quite a nic pair. I’m working on another woodpecker at the moment – it’s a bit 3D using some lovely bark I found. It’s a bit of an experiment.

We are looking forward to seeing Jan’s new pieces at The Arts Society Sandwich Summer Art Exhibition in 2027.
Jan shares her work and progress on her Instagram page: @jan_raes_textiles

Jan has chosen “Free Bird” by Art Music as her mood music, evoking gentle ambient outdoor
sounds of birdsong and tranquil forest textures.