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
A Grand Quilting & Textile Tour of India with ECT Travel
Calling all quilters – don't miss our holiday on an immersive journey into the unique textile traditions of Rajasthan and Gujarat - A Grand Quilting & Textile Tour of India. (All our tours all fully protected).
Quilting Weekend in Hampshire, 22 and 23 February 2025
Date: 22 – 23 February 2025
Location: New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Price: £440 Early Bird Special before 22 August 2024 / £470 after this
Spend the weekend with Anita Birtles exploring different piecing and patchwork methods, making your own interpretation of a Modern Stars Quilt.
Announcing the winners of Prize Draw 2023
Announcing the winner of the Janome UK and justhands-on.tv Prize Draw 2023. The Grand Prize: a Janome HORIZON MC9480 QC PROFESSIONAL, and A.S.R. (Accurate Stitch Regulator). Plus 50, one year subscriptions to justhands-on.tv.