Ruth’s first career was in museums. She has degrees in Medieval Studies and Museum Studies and worked in education and curatorial roles for 8 years. In 2005 she set up her textiles practice, freelance teaching and writing career.

Ruth was selected by the Crafts Council as one of the best new makers of the year for Springboard at Origin 2006 and was selected to show independently in 2007 and 2008. She has received funding and support from Creative Leicestershire, The Arts Council, Design Factory, University College of the Creative Arts, Find Your Talent and Brighton and Hove City Council. Ruth has been described as having ‘an enviable talent for textile manipulation’ Rachel Chambers, Craft and Design Magazine, 2007, and her aesthetic has been celebrated in both the contemporary craft scene and the textile world, earmarked as ‘a modern heirloom in the making’ Lara Sargent, Daily Mail, 2008.

Ruth Singer

Writing

Ruth also designs a range of projects for books and magazines and has written three sewing books, Sew It Up (2008), Sew Eco (2010), and Fabric Manipulation (2013). She is a passionate and inspiring educator, specialising in working with adults and community groups, collaborating with museums and in developing innovative and challenging creative projects. Ruth has worked with a wide-range of audiences through her museum and textiles career including schools, families, targeted communities and young people.

Ruth Singer Studio

In January 2012 Ruth Singer won The Big Idea competition run by Leicester’s Haymarket Shopping Centre. The competition aimed to find a new local entrepreneur and help them start a new business. Ruth’s proposal for Ruth Singer Studio, a craft and making workshop venue, won the competition. Ruth had to submit a written proposal, present to a panel of judges and then win the popular vote online. Ruth Singer Studio won £1000 cash prize and a month of rent-free space in a shop unit within The Haymarket Centre during April 2012. This launch event was a great success and over 100 people took part in activities in the Studio. The studio is now based at Makers’ Yard, a new studio complex in a converted hosiery factory in Leicester’s cultural quarter. Ruth Singer Studio offers creative textiles workshops as well as craft parties, private tuition and much more.

There are interviews with Ruth here, here, here, here, here & here.