Jacqui is a maker, teacher, author and researcher of braids, having specialized in the subject since graduating from a BA(Hons) degree in woven textiles in 1985. Her work as a practicing craftsperson is known worldwide, and her knowledge shared through teaching and numerous publications.

While studying for her degree in textiles, Jacqui discovered that weaving and other related subjects — such as braiding — combined her love of mathematics and art. Through the study of complex weaving structures she was able to unravel the mysteries of kumihimo. While her work in this area stems from the traditional, it is the creative possibilities that inspire most of her braids. The joy of making braids is enhanced by exploring a wide range of materials and playing with structure, color and patterns.

When Jacqui started teaching, she realized that there was a lack of written materials on kumihimo. As a result, she wrote her first instructional book “Creative Kumihimo.” This was quickly followed by several kumihimo books including “Beads and Braids” — the first and perhaps most comprehensive book on incorporating beads in braiding.

In the early 90’s Jacqui helped establish the Braid Society. She organized the first exhibit entitled “Samurai Undressed” based on her research into the historical development of kumihimo in relation to the Samurai. She recently updated the original “Samurai Undressed” monograph to reflect her continued research in this area. The new monograph is titled “Samurai Redressed”.

Jacqui’s research work continues expanding, involving wider aspects of braids. In 2005, Jacqui was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to help further her study, and in 2008 she was awarded a distinction for her MA in the History of Textile & Dress, at the Textile Conservation Centre, University of Southampton.
Jacqui’s interest in analyzing old textiles has also led to a detour into 16th & 17th century English embroidery, after a chance discovery of some obsolete stitches. Her ongoing research into the structures found on extant examples and the potential techniques used for their production has so far resulted in two books , “Sweet bags” and “Elizabethan Stitches”. Her ability to ‘read’ needlework objects saw her awarded a Research Bursary from the Wellcome Trust in 2015. This enabled her to study their newly acquired medieval embroidered almanac (MS.8932), and resulted in a book devoted to this extraordinary artifacts: “A Medieval Embroidered Folded Amanac.”

Visit Jacqui’s store at: https://www.careycompany.com/