About Niamh
Niamh Wimperis is one of the most colourful and dynamic embroidery artists currently practicing.
According to Niamh, she’s “all about feminism and plants”, and finds a lot of her inspiration from her vast collection of house plants, and childhood memories of her grandparents house, Selsley Herb and Goat Farm. Her work has evolved from ultra political – – with her feminist pieces featured in Ms Magazine, Buzzfeed and The Huff Post – – to this more calming botanical style.
Niamh achieved a Masters Degree in Contemporary Craft in 2017 from Plymouth College of Art. Her final piece, an interactive installation titled ‘A Feeling Of Safety, Perhaps’ was exhibited in the MA show and as part of Dwell, a two woman collaboration for Plymouth Art Weekend at Plymouth Art Centre.
In 2018 Niamh was chosen to be on the BBC2 programme, The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts. This was a “living history” reality show in which Niamh and 5 other talented crafts people lived in a William Morris-esque arts and crafts commune for a month, complete with wearing Victorian clothes, eating Victorian food and using Victorian tools. The 4 part BBC2 show aired in January 2019. You can read more about her experience here, and watch the series here.
Niamh now lives in Camden Town with her partner Alex, a watch maker. She is currently writing her first book, continues to make work (including commissions), and has launched her #WEStitchKit – a monthly embroidery kit subscription box. You can find about more about her kit subscription here.
Signature Technique
Botanical Embroidery
Top Tips
- Use the Satin Stitch for a shimmer and shine effect.
- Stitch on two layers to avoid warp and seeing stitches on the back.
- Keep your fabric tight as a drum in your hoop or your piece will pucker.
- Nothing in nature is perfect, so don’t be afraid if a stitch appears strange or off the centre line. That’s how it appears in real life.
- The Fly Stitch is wonderfully versatile; use it for pine branches, flowers and leaves.
- If you find your thread is suddenly shorter, you probably have a knot. Use your needle to pull the knot apart.
Videos
Books and Patterns
Posts
Join us in the drive to cover the St. Mary’s Church bell tower in poppies
Cover St. Mary’s Church bell tower in poppies St. Mary’s Church in Wotton-under Edge are planning to cover the Bell Tower in poppies by the 11th of November to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. All poppies are welcomed - Knitted, Crocheted, Felt and Fabric. Click here for details "Knitting a Remembrance Poppy" workshop available for FREE The justhands-on.tv team are very keen to support this project. So, we are making the full length workshop on “Knitting a Remembrance Poppy” by Rosee Woodland available for FREE for the next 8 months.
Kitty range of fabrics designed by Makower
There is a free download pattern for this range, and Valerie will be sharing a workshop with you all at the end of the month, but this great range of fabrics also looks good when used on another pattern from the Makower stable, that caught Valerie's eye; (and just had to make one!) designed by Lynne Goldsworthy originally to be used with the Into the Woods fabrics; It is a free download from Makower - just click here.
Charity Quilts for Momentum- Kingston upon thames
A selection of quilts - various shapes and sizes - made by Valerie and her quilting friends and students were delivered to Momentum in Kingston upon Thames this week. Valerie and her quilting network have been supporting this charity for several years through their quilt making and to learn more about the wonderful work done by Momentum - click here