Stumpwork Embroidery

After finding that I needed the occasional break from painting, I decided to give stumpwork embroidery a go.  I quickly discovered how much I enjoy working with needle and thread. I love coming up with new techniques and figuring out how I would recreate elements of nature through embroidery.

Stumpwork is a raised form of embroidery that incorporates various three-dimensional elements.  It became popular at the end of the 17th century when people knew it as raised or embossed work.  The term stumpwork came into use near the end of the 19th century.

I draw inspiration for my embroideries from time spent in the countryside, surrounded by nature and wildlife.  I use a variety of techniques to create each piece.  For example, I often needlefelt shapes using scraps of wool caught on fences and hedges which I stitch over.  I also make things like leaves and wings on separate pieces, which I attach to the main work with wires.

You can see more of my embroidery pieces in my gallery.

If you would like to commission a piece of embroidery please contact me at jessicahiltonart@gmail.com

You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see more of my work and the processes I use to create it.