About Deborah Wirsu (the short version)

Deborah Wirsu is a Certified Entrepreneurship and Business Coach with qualifications in Creative Textiles, Music Performance and Teaching, Freelance Journalism, Editing and Proofreading, Teaching, and (curiously) Medical Administration.

She is a best-selling author and has, over the years, created several online courses to help people worldwide learn the art of thread sketching, thread painting, and art quilting.

Following her recent retirement from active coaching, Deborah has transformed her platform at ThreadSketchingInAction.com into a permanent self-study archive.

Thread Sketching In Action is packed with useful information for both the novice and experienced crafter interested in exploring the fascinating world of thread sketching, thread painting, and art quilting.

Deborah Wirsu (the full story)

A life of creative adventure through art, music, and writing.

I feel privileged to have been called a pioneer of freestyle thread sketching, having developed a new approach to stitching that had not been seen before. 

Although I grew up sewing and crafting, as a teenager, I yearned to become a professional orchestral viola player, a dream I pursued until it became a reality. 

Decades spent honing my craft as a viola player, securing a permanent seat in a professional opera and ballet orchestra, followed by a tenure teaching music, were challenging. As life would have it, adversity eventually demanded a change of course, which is when I reawakened my affinity for visual art and writing, propelling me into the realm of blogging and online teaching. 

In my 50s, I weathered personal challenges and unexpected upheavals. However, the dream of starting an online business persisted. This unwavering vision paved the way for Thread Sketching In Action — my online platform for providing lessons in creative textile art. 

As my reputation grew, I ventured into the world of writing Arts and Crafts books (amongst others). When my first books topped the charts, I knew I’d found another calling. 

Living for Today

Age, in my opinion, should never be a deterrent to living life to the fullest. Rather, it serves as a reminder that the time for action is now, before it slips away. 

This website and its resources are designed to help you on your creative journey. 

I don’t always follow conventional routes, and I encourage people to explore new methods and push personal boundaries. Some might call me stubborn, but I firmly believe we should travel our own path and not blindly trail along behind others. 

What you’ll learn here…

Use this site to learn all about thread sketching, thread painting, and freestyle appliqué techniques. 

Find information for how to get started, tips for the best tools and resources, and inspirational articles. 

What’s Next?

As I move into this new season of retirement, I have traded the sewing machine for a suitcase. My passion for creativity and teaching has found a new home in travel planning and storytelling. I’d be delighted to have you join me as I explore the world at a slower pace over at my new website: IntermezzoAdventures.com.

Affiliate Disclosure

Thread Sketching In Action (TSIA) is both a resource full of free information and articles, but it is also my business, so please expect that some hyperlinks are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no further expense to you) if you click through and purchase the product. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is one of the ways I support myself and continue to bring you content and information. The decision about whether to buy a product or not is completely up to you. My reviews and recommendations give my honest opinion on the products or services mentioned, but make no claim to how well they will work for you. You can read my full Affiliate Disclosure and Privacy Policy via these links.

Books for Textile Artists

I have a range of books for textile artists available from Amazon or your favourite online bookstore.

Facts and Curiosities…

• I have formal qualifications in Freelance Journalism, Editing and Proofreading, Music (Performance and Teaching), Creative Textiles, and (curiously) Medical Administration.
• I’m a Certified Entrepreneurship, Business, and Life Coach.
• 5 x Amazon Best-selling author.
• My art has been exhibited and sold worldwide.
• Featured in the School of Stitched Textiles (UK) Inspiring Artists series; Quilting Arts magazine; and Quilting Arts Companion magazine.
• Commissioned to design and make bespoke art quilts and thread paintings.
• Keynote speaker at quilting functions and seminars.
• Self-employed for 20+ years.
• Multi-disciplinary niche market business owner.
• Founder and owner of ThreadSketchingInAction.com, IntermezzoAdventures.com, and SpoonbillPress.com.
• I started my career as a professional orchestral musician and instrumental music teacher. Since then, I’ve taught writing, editing and proofreading, ESL, creative textiles, music, and digital business strategies.
• I call Melbourne, Australia home.
• I love to: travel, read, write, keep fit, create art, and play music.
• Occasionally, I’ll go off on a tangent, doing something completely different — life would be so boring if we never stepped outside of the norm! There are so many fascinating things to do and ideas to explore, so why stop?