Sewing Stillness: The Art of Appliqué with Yasmeen Branton
Sand & Stars is a name that instantly conjures a scene the vast desert by day, golden and endless, and the quiet expanse of the night sky, pricked with light. For textile artist Yasmeen Branton, whose Arabian heritage inspired the name, it describes her philosophy: the slow rhythm of needle and thread offers not just a way of creating but a way of grounding oneself in the present moment.
Detail from the hand appliquéd, hand quilted Blomma II quilt, by Yasmeen Branton of Sand and Stars.
Branton’s relationship with cloth and stitch began early, in the small acts of making during childhood. That curiosity deepened at the Royal School of Needlework, where she trained in the meticulous art of embroidery. Her skill later took her into film and television as an embroidery assistant, but her true calling emerged in the workshops, patterns, and tutorials she now shares through Sand & Stars. Here, she combines technical knowledge with a calm, supportive approach, encouraging others to discover the therapeutic joy of hand sewing.
Hand of Faith appliquéd cushion design by Yasmeen Branton of Sand and Stars. Inspired by the Hand of Fatima, a symbol of protection, power and strength.
On Wednesday 24 September, for London Textile Month, Branton brings this ethos to the Goldsmiths Textiles Collection & Constance Howard Gallery, Deptford Town Hall. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., she will lead The Art of Appliqué, a day-long workshop devoted to needle-turn appliqué — a traditional method of hand-stitching fabric shapes onto a background. Participants will explore tools, materials, and techniques, but also colour, pattern, and the quiet confidence that comes with time spent making. Beginners will find reassurance in Branton’s step-by-step guidance, while experienced stitchers can experiment with design at their own pace. The result might be a completed sample or the start of something larger — but equally valuable is the chance to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the unhurried rhythm of sewing by hand.
Ahead of her workshop, we caught up with Yasmeen for 5 Minutes with a Friend:
Yasmeen Branton
Portrait of Yasmeen Branton
Yasmeen, what is your first memory of a textile?
My very first memory of a textile is of when I was around 5 years old, stitching a very simple cross stitch piece at primary school. I vividly remember the feeling of stitching with a large plastic needle and picking out the colours of the threads I was going to use. I remember the feeling of joy during the whole process and subconsciously it has stuck with me throughout the years.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
When I think about my love for textiles, there are multiple layers of appreciation that fuel my passion. It’s the combination and harmony of colours in various ways, that tell a story or invoke a feeling. It leads your mind to silently read the story of the person whose created it, through the detail of the pattern or through the different layers of texture created with different materials. I am particularly drawn to handmade pieces, because I truly think you can feel the soul of the person that’s made it. It’s a silent connection to that person and a beautiful reminder about the power and impact of human creativity.
Detail of Yasmeen Branton at work on an appliqué design in her home studio.
Where is your most inspiring space / place to create?
I’m lucky to have a beautiful space at home that I create and design my patterns and pieces. When I’m not there, I usually find that some of my best ideas come from doing the simple things in life, for example going for a walk with the dog. I find it gives my mind a chance to absorb and collate anything I’ve been researching, exhibitions I’ve seen, books I’ve read, and sometimes with the lack of pressure at having to sit at my desk and think up ideas, new ones present themselves to me in the most unlikely ways.
What has inspired you recently?
My biggest inspiration recently has been from books, particularly fantasy books. I love the imaginative world building of the authors and the combination of different inspirations from folklore and history. It’s a level of creativity that just astounds me and is currently inspiring me in some of my future work.
Work in progress - appliquéd floral design by Yasmeen Branton of Sand and Stars
What is your most cherished textile, and why?
I’m lucky to have inherited a lot of my grandmother’s projects, a lot of hand embroidered table cloths, napkins and some of the tapestry projects she half completed - some of which I have completed myself since she passed away. She taught me how to knit and we used to go to haberdasheries together which was always fun. I also have some antique textiles pieces I’ve collected over the years that I just find so inspiring, and I often use them for developing ideas.
Where did you learn your craft?
Ever since I can remember I have always loved creating and sewing. This developed through my school years, but it was only once I went to the Royal School of Needlework to learn traditional hand embroidery that I truly found my calling and passion for the methodical, slow process of hand stitching. This lead to a continuous exploration for different styles of hand stitching, and now I love to explore this passion through hand appliqué.
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Further information:
Join Yasmeen's London Textile Month workshop:
Wednesday 24 September, 10-4 p.m.: Workshop: The Art of Appliqué with Yasmeen Branton
Goldsmiths Textiles Collection & Constance Howard Gallery, Deptford Town Hall, London, SE14 6AF
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Image Credits:
Lead: One of 30 appliquéd block patterns featured in the Sand and Stars Christmas Blommer sew-along project.
All images courtesy of Sand and Stars/Yasmeen Branton.