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
Mini Mosaics is a winner for Lyn
Hi Valerie...must share my good news....
after watching your fabulous videos & picking up so much knowledge especially the mini mosaics with Paula...I entered the NFWI Makower Quilt Challenge 'Summer Days' & have won 1st prize...... The theme this year is 'Summer Days'...we had to design & use 50 % of certain Makower fabrics ( I used 100% as I didn't want to bring any more colours in).I played with the lyrics to Gershwins Summertime to suit quilters!
Lots of free stuff to watch
We have a wide variety of videos that are free to registered viewers dotted through the interviews, tips, techniques and workshops on the site. BUT you can access them all now through a new page 'What's New' which is located on far rh side of the green menu bar when you hover over 'videos'. or click here One of our most popular workshops has been the 40 minute scrap quilt - why not take a look.
First Sampler Quilt Finished!
Hurray I have just finished my quilt. I love it. For me it looks fabulous. I know I can improve in stitch in the ditch and quilting but as you tell us practice makes perfect.
Thanks a lot for your tuition and guidance.
Regards
Joyce It's lovely Joyce and yes you will always improve with practice, but we never seem to stop learning or improving! Its a journey that I hope you will continue to enjoy.