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
Quilting weekend – Dunford House 6-8th July 2012
Fun was had by all at our Dunford House quilt retreat weekend; the house was full and there was lots of laughter as well as sewing. Jennie as usual had us in stitches with her travel stories as well as getting down to her red swimsuit complete with embellishments and the pub quiz was won by the "Thanglers". The Dunford house staff did us proud - they looked after us superbly and the food was excellent - local produce well presented - and many of the bedrooms have undergone a upgrade and facelift with beautiful new soft furnishings.
Rice murals in the fields of Japan
Rice fields take on a whole new meaning when you see them like this: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/5965421/Paddy-art-farmers-create-colourful-rice-murals-in-Japan.html
Fun day at Creative Quilting
Dave and Matt joined me at Creative Quilting so that we could share this shop with you later in the year: here Dave finds his namesake! (the detail is from one of the Don't Look Now range of patterns that are sold at Creative Quilting) and Isa and I share a moment amongst the fabrics and I show you my finished scrap quilt (made in just 40 minutes and I'll show you how in August!)