Susan Briscoe is a designer and textile artist specializing in sashiko, kogin, boro-inspired textiles, and quilts influenced by Japanese design. She sells sashiko and kogin threads, Japanese patchwork fabrics, and quilting materials, many of which she uses in her own work. In December 2025, she opened a shop at 2 High Street, Coupar Angus, Perthshire.
Susan’s love for Japanese design began during her studies at Cleveland College of Art and University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, where she graduated with Joint Hons. in Visual Art and Drama in 1987. After running a small artisan clothing business in mid-Wales, she worked as an Assistant English Teacher in Yuza-machi, Japan, through the JET Programme in 1991. While in Japan, Susan immersed herself in Japanese design, particularly textiles, and learned kimono tailoring from her neighbor. Upon returning to the UK, she began making quilts influenced by both Japanese and traditional British patchwork designs.
In Yuza-machi, Susan was first introduced to sashiko. In 2000, she took formal lessons with Chie Ikeda and quickly became passionate about the craft. Collaborating with her neighbor, Reiko Domon, she helped establish the Yuza Sashiko Guild in 2008. Together, they have taught sashiko workshops across the UK, beginning with the NEC Festival of Quilts in 2003. Articles about their early work can be found on the Popular Patchwork website.
Susan regularly returns to Japan to stay updated on textile trends, improve her Japanese language skills, and source unique materials for her shop. She is also the author of several books and teaches textile and sashiko workshops.
Her blog offers updates on her work, quilts, and events, and she can be contacted via email or her contact form. Additionally, she maintains a Facebook artist page and several Facebook groups focused on her books.
Susan lives in a pre-1850s cottage in a small village in Perthshire with her husband, Glyn, who helps her at quilt shows and shares her creative passion.
