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
Update 15th August 2014
Workshops Valerie continues with her series on appliqué – this [...]
Ipad Upgrade meets with approval
If you want to know what the upgrade was all about: click here Some of the comments we have received since the upgrade came into effect: Your new website is brilliant. I have been frustrated for many months because I just could not access the site properly and since my husband pays the subscription fee was considering cancelling it. No longer - I love the fact that I can access everything on the ipad and it's given me much pleasure. I've just watched among other things,this evening, the video on making the reindeer appliqué together with my five year old grand daughter whilst on holiday and when I go back home I've been asked to make it for her.
Well done and thank you - the new website works brilliantly for me.
Regards Irene
I have just watched Jennie on Safari much much better, thank you.
Best Regards
Ann Very very pleased that I am now able to see vido on my iPad. Just great will be able to use it all Many thanks for getting that up and working - Marian Thank goodness I don't have to use Puffin anymore on my iPad, quite often the script was all broken up and impossible to read.
Love this site and I return to it often to watch your tutorials..
Regards,
Maureen Hurrah!
What’s this bit of my walking foot for?
Question: I have an attchment for my janome machine which enables me to do measured straight lines. I haven't used it for years, and so have forgotten how ! ! It consists of a metal bar about 3 inches long with a right angle prong at the end of it, and 12 years ago it was fantastic for quick quilting diamonds or squares. Have you any ideas please of how I used it?