Janie

contemporary fashion and home accessories in hand-embroidered knitted fabrics

Wonderfully tactile and luxurious, Jane Withers’ fashion and home accessories in knitted fabrics with embroidered designs are truly gorgeous. From her studio near Nottingham, using traditional hand flat knitting machines and embroidery techniques, Jane has created a highly desirable and original collection. Jane started up her own business in 2000, when the design studio where she worked as a knitwear designer closed. Taking inspiration for shape and colour primarily from nature, her own range of designs began to evolve. ‘I usually have a camera to hand so that if I see an interesting shape, texture or idea when I’m out and about I can record it,’ says Jane. ‘I think my designs have an influence from the 50s and 60s but with a contemporary edge’ Many of Jane’s fabrics incorporate second-use materials alongside merino lambswool and organic wools. ‘Creating new and beautiful products from waste fabrics is very rewarding,’ she says. Her dedication and commitment are plain to see in the exquisite attention to detail and standard of finish on each of her pieces. ‘It takes many late nights to produce new knitted fabrics and to source yarns,’ says Jane. ‘But I really enjoy the creative process. At the moment I am making bags in a wonderful geelong lambswool, which I love.’