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
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.
Wearable patchwork
Thought you might like to see my waistcoat which I have made using your books – it’s my first one and it took me ages to get going on it but when I actually started I really enjoyed it – I have made a few blunders but have learnt a lot and know what not to do next time!!! Hope you are well and I’m looking forward to your new book coming out.
February 2011 newsletter
Well what a start to the year – according to the experts (and the Daily Mail!) we’ve been through the most depressing weekend BUT we’ve also been through Happy Monday. Apparently last Monday was the day on which we start thinking about our summer break. Well that includes me: two of us have booked to go to the Quilt Show in Alsace in September run by Arena Travel; details are on the Quilt Retreat page of the site https://www.justhands-on.tv/small-ads/category/3/
and I am already savouring the idea of sipping champagne at Kings Cross St.Pancreas prior to departure on the Eurostar!