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
March 2011
Jennie and I had a really lovely time at the [...]
A quilted Chuppa by Mae Bishop:
Last Christmas I was asked if I would like to make a chuppa for the wedding of my nephew to his Jewish Rabbi bride. Being Christian I had no idea what a chuppa was let alone know where to start. Some research was obviously needed so onto the internet for some ideas. The bride wanted a religious theme and chose the seven fruits (or species) of Israel which are wheat, barley, olives, dates, pomegranates, figs,and grapes The picture taken on the floor shows six of the theme blocks.
Textiles in Focus 2011
This event is being held 25/26/27 February at Cottenham Village College. It includes 3 days of workshops, there will be a lecture by Dawn Thorn - Transparency and Dimension - and the two exhibition halls will be showcasing the textile art of 'The O2 Textile Group' and 'Fibrefusion'. There will also be traders and demonstrators. This event has now been running for 10 years and this year Jennie and I will be there so pop along and say hello; Tickets available only on the door; there is free parking and access for the disabled. www.textilesinfocus.com and this year's chosen charity is the Alzheimer's Research Trust.