Jill Clay has had a passion for Japan as long as she can remember. Working as a silk artist specialising in Ukiyo-e, woodblock designs, she taught adult education including City and Guild Textiles for many years. A lifelong dream came true when she travelled to Japan and fell in love with everything she saw. She started a tour company, Festival of Japan, with a special focus on textiles. Attending large craft shows followed and Jill was inspired by the Sashiko she saw. She became highly accomplished in Sashiko stitching and it remains her favourite pastime.