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
BBC Radio Berks
Val: If you missed me being interviewed on my local radio station don't despair there is a 'listen again' option through the computer and the link is www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00kvf2w/ You can hear all about my passion for sewing/quilting/patchwork (which won't surprise any of you) but you might not have known some of the other stuff I get to talk about!
News update October 2011
Val: Wow this month seems to be rushing by - I suppose that’s what happens if you take a few days off; we had a lovely few days in France and the weather was superb. This Saturday, 22nd, you will find me at the Second Southampton Quilting & Textile Art Fair being held in aid of The Society of St.James (which is a Southampton Charity) and The Goedgedacht Project (a South African charity) at the King Edward VI School in Southampton (SO15 5UQ)– it runs from 10am-3pm and as well as traders there are displays - with the theme of ‘Africa’- and demonstrations; so do come along and say hello.
October 2011
Summer came and went and we are now into that [...]