Birds of a feather needlecraft together…I think that’s how the saying goes isn’t it? So let us all join together once again for this month’s post, another celebration of the talented and inspiring needlecraft that is scattered throughout the wilds of Etsy. It really is with great pleasure that I can now introduce you to the beautiful work of Chloe Redfern whose shop ‘Chloe Redfern Artist’ is a treasure trove of embroidered goodies.
Chloe works predominantly with hand embroidery, using plain fabrics she enjoys experimenting with the marks that can be made and patterns that can build up using simple stitches. Her work, mostly illustrative in nature, draws inspiration from gardens, plants and animals as well as the wider landscape. Alongside her own stitched pieces Chloe has made some of her patterns available as downloadable PDFs, a strong advocate for embroidery she’s keen on encouraging people to give it a go. Her patterns also encourage people to delve into their own thread stashes and take inspiration from her designs, interpreting the patterns in their own way rather than sticking rigidly to any specific colour ways. A wonderful pressure- free approach to the rewarding world of embroidery.
What is your earliest stitching memory?
I was bought some small embroidery hoops and some thread when I was very young, I remember making a little appliquéd picture of a bird in a leafy nest using some fabric offcuts given to me by my mum.
What fires your imagination?
Seeing birds when I’m out and about, or watching the ones which visit the garden, I think I’d have to say they were my favourite subject matter! I love gardens too and plants, and am always looking at and recording interesting plant and leaf shapes to use in pieces of work in the future. The actual process of working on an embroidery inspires me too, when I’m stitching a piece and I think “ooh, how would that look with that thread, or if I used this stitch”. This gives me ideas to take forward into my next piece of work.
Chloe’s embroideries are amazingly intricate, her build up of patterns and colour bring each of the pieces vibrantly to life. To explore more of her stunning work, or perhaps plan your next stitchy project, please visit her shop.
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Jessica Taylor aka Loadofolbobbins is a Textile Artist and Illustrator based by the sea in Portsmouth. At her happiest with a needle and thread, with a passion for genealogy she often explores old photographs in her Textile art. With her fingers in many creative pies she loves to experiment with new techniques, creating illustrated and stitched goodies for her new Etsy shop.
