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
The Great Northern Quilt Show (31st Aug – 2nd Sept 2012 )
Val: Had a really lovely weekend up in Harrogate – such a pretty town – and the weather was kind. Saturday was spent wandering round under my own steam – its been a long time since I was just a visitor to a show; bumped into a lot of friends/contributors to our site such as Sylvia Critcher; Sue at Daisy Chain; Lynette our very own ‘Stitch Witch’ ; Hilary from The Silk Route to name but three and Jennie was busy there too - teaching; – and of course like all visitors I ended up spending money!
Quilts in the Cae Hir Gardens
Karen from Karens Quilts and Finish My Quilt says it was a wonderful weekend despite the heavy rain Saturday morning. below are photographs for the three winning quilts. 1st. 'A Cactus Wreath' by Gerda Bryant. 2nd. 'Bee Happy' by the Twine and W(h)ine Group 3rd. 'Spring Summer Autumn Winter' by Gillian Trickey We had so many requests to make this an annual event that, so next year the dates will be 2nd, 3rd and 4th August.
Owls on the move
Moving from Surrey to Peterborough these lovely owls don't look any worse for wear and we wish them well in their new home: (thanks to Sarah for sharing Twit Wit and Woo) - click here for the pattern by Gail Penberthy available through Daisy Chain Designs.