There are those that can hand draw beautiful illustrations, there are those that create wonderful things with a sewing machine, then there is Tina Crawford who cleverly combines both talents to create charming home accessories at Tobyboo.

‘I love free embroidery, it’s like handwriting. I literally get the fabric under the needle and ‘draw’. I love the wobbles, loose threads and accidents, to me they all add charm and originality to the illustration’– Tina Crawford

Textile illustrator Tina has developed her unique personal style drawing freehand with a sewing machine, skillfully using the needle like a pen. She was inspired by an embroidery course, where she learned to break the rules and work more freely; the results are her whimsical designs which are transferred onto delicate china tea sets, cushions, tea towels and lampshades.

Behind the scenes with Tobyboo. (top right)Oranges & Lemons cushion cover, £40 (bottom left) Gull ‘n’ Chips china jug, £30; Gull notebook, £10; Wish You Were here placemat; Wish You Were Here bag, £17, all Tobyboo.

The best thing about Tina’s creations, compared to other designs of this nature, is that her quirky illustrations are not sketched out first on paper and reproduced they are added directly onto fabric so no two pieces are the same.