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Meredith Woolnough: Machine Embroidered Natural Specimens

46 min • 15 juli 2020

Meredith Woolnough shares her insight and techniques around the beautiful machine embroidered natural specimens she creates. They are inspired by the skeletal forms of flora and fauna, particularly those she finds on walks and scuba dives.

Meredith has specialised in working exclusively with water-soluble fabric, using machine embroidery to re-create the lacy, delicate forms she loves so much. Once embroidered, and after the fabric is washed away, Meredith then creates a more sculptural form to create her delicate 'specimens'.

Susan Weeks chats with Meredith Woolnough about:

Creating a series of 100 machine embroidered pieces
Exclusively working on water-soluble fabrics
Natural forms and structures are her main inspirations
A fine line between creating a cohesive series and getting stuck in a rut!
Challenge of creating the series so it all works together
Creating framed artworks makes them easier to sell
Potential purchasers of textile art are often concerned about how to care for it and display it.
Planning your boundaries and methods for your projects to ensure success
A change in scale often adds another layer of challenge
Liberating embroidery from it's base fabric!
Making scary choices
Matching technique, materials, and subject matter
Combining art, science and nature and lots of research
Doing the best that you can to juggle life, family and art