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
Comments About our Films on Youtube
3 Comments from Youtube July 2013: Comment on How to pull the machine thread up through your work with Valerie Nesbitt From across the pond again, North Carolina, USA, I am thoroughly enjoying AND learning from these tutorials. LOVE the variety of subjects, especially the projects and the techniques incorporated into it. Also enjoy the interviews and off site shows.
What to watch here during August 2013
There are five Fridays in this month – so lots to view – and we start off by continuing to wander round the Textiles in Focus (2013) exhibition where we meet up with Lynda Monk who demonstrates how she used Lutradur and puff paint; and Jean Wright who is also demonstrating – but this time her love is goldwork; we also enjoy more of the Fen Edge Textiles exhibition that was on display.
Heading for Wales this weekend
I am so excited to be travelling to Wales at the weekend to visit "Quilts in Cae Hir Gardens" at Cae Hir Gardens, Cribyn, Nr. Lampeter, Ceredigion. SA48 7NG. 2nd, 3rd and 4th August 2013. There will be traders stalls (so shopping!) and quilts for sale and the gardens are set on a Welsh hillside and have Tea Rooms. Admission to Gardens £5.00 For more information Contact Cae Hir Gardens 01570 471116 I am being joined by Dave and Matt and the cameras, so you won't miss out!