About Me
Amy Heaney is an Irish textiles designer currently living in Scotland. After completing her A-levels in Art, Biology, and Physics in 2012 at Sacred Heart Grammer School she went on to complete her BA (Hons) in Textiles, Design, and Fashion at the University of Ulster, Belfast from 2012 to 2015. Her undergraduate degree allowed her to explore a range of textile processes including Print, Weave, Garment Construction, and Embroidery however it was Knit that she chose to specialize in.
Jane Bowler Internship
After graduating with her undergraduate degree in July 2015 she had the fabulous opportunity in November 2015 to get an internship with London fashion designer Jane Bowler. Jane Bowler is a celebrated international designer whose work she had followed and was inspired by after completing a workshop with Jane. It was a unique experience that allowed her to use unconventional materials like plastic to make 'wearable art.' During the internship, she worked alongside the designer to help design and make her Autumn/Winter 2016 collection. She had the privilege of working on the outfit on the right, a two-piece using a simple silhouette made using hand-cut pieces of foiled plastic hand linked together.



The Albion Knitting Company
Amy worked for the Albion Knitting Company from 2016 to 2018, as a Stoll Knitting Machine Operator, working her way up to being daytime supervisor, in charge of a small team. She had always had a keen interest in all areas of the production process from designing through to the completion of a final garment and the Albion allowed her to experience these processes on an industrial scale. A number of the garments we produced went on to be shown at fashion shows around the world for example Victoria Beckham's Spring/Summer 2017 collection shown in New York, a knitted two-piece including the irregular rib kick skirt and top. another example is Christopher Kane's Spring/Summer 2018 collection inspired by scouring pads as glittery dresses.


Master's Degree
Amy studied for her Master's degree at Heriot-Watt University studying MA, Fashion, and Textiles. It was a one year course that she completed in August 2019 and graduated in December 2019. The focus of her master's project was to design and produce a collection of fashion fabrics utilizing Knit, Crochet, Macrame, Foiling with 3D printing, and Laser Cutting that showed the fusion of craft with technology. The fabrics were inspired by the textures and forms found within the ocean, with armor influences from media entertainment to inspire concepts and final pieces that were an amalgamation of my chosen techniques.



Game of Thrones
During this past summer, while studying for her master's degree, Amy got the opportunity to work for Game of Thrones in Belfast. She worked in the costume department designing and making Macrame for the costumes.



Shima Seiki Programming
In August 2019 after completing her master's she was lucky to get a place on a Shima Seiki Programming course. Here she learned how to create programs using Apex 3 systems and operating the knitting machines. From this Amy has gone onto be a Shima Programmer for Scott & Charters knitting company, Hawick. I started here on work experience while completing my Shima course and was fortunate to get offered a full-time position. I was even fortunate enough to meet and speak with Prince Charles when he visited the company for the official opening of the new building. I am now creating programs for a range of Shima knitting machines in gauges including 8, 12, 3, and 5 gauge with our newest 18 gauge whole garment Mach 2 knitting machine.


