Ruth Singer is a Leicester-based textile artist, project manager, author and tutor. She is currently working towards setting up a craft & design workshop in Leicester city centre with courses, classes and creative activities for all ages. In the meantime, Ruth runs beginner and intermediate sewing workshops for adults on a regular basis in Leicester city centre and a wide range of creative workshops including customising clothes and trapunto quilting for those with a passion for textiles. Ruth is developing this new aspect of her business with the help of Creative Enterprise Hub and now has an office at Phoenix Square. The business support and training through this scheme is helping Ruth prepare her craft studio business plan and marketing for opening in Summer 2012.

Ruth originally trained to work in museums, and holds an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester. Throughout her museum career, Ruth developed a specialism for textile and fashion history and contemporary craft. She worked as Education Officer for the Victoria & Albert Museum for three years before starting her own contemporary textiles practice and teaching business in 2005.

Teaching. Ruth has over 10 years of teaching experience from working as a museum education officer to running workshops as a freelance artist. Ruth works with all ages and is currently working with several primary schools in North West Leicestershire on projects around World War Two and fashion history. She has recently completed a City and Guilds Certificate in Preparing to teach in the Life Long Learning Sector.

Textiles. Ruth creates one-off textile artworks and products using sustainable and recycled materials inspired by historical textiles, museum objects, personal heritage, memory and stories. Ruth currently has a piece on display at New Walk Museum in the Open23 exhibition and a group of new work in 'Ties that bind - Aprons, stories and hidden lives' on display at Unit Twelve until January 2012. 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.

Project Management. In addition, Ruth works as a creative consultant and project manager for arts and heritage projects, both small and large. Recent projects include creative consultancy with young people for 'Our Sporting Life' and managing a schools & museums project for Mantle Arts called 'Spin A Yarn'.

Writing. Ruth has written two sewing books, Sew It Up (2008) and Sew Eco (2010) and also designs a range of projects for books and magazines, including the Guardian.

Ruth 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.