Welcome to Gear Threads, where we showcase artists who are elevating machine embroidery to new heights!
The work of Gloucestershire textile artist Louise Watson is all about the power of noticing: the subtle colour of pebbles on a path, the ethereal wisp of a feather, the earthy texture of seed pods.
Her work combines felt and other materials with a mix of machine and hand embroidery, letting the unpredictable characteristics of natural materials take center stage.
This is free machine embroidery and if you want to find out more about it, check out our dedicated post!
Each piece explores some new aspect of the natural world, crafting a mood that’s as peaceful and reflective as a walk in the forest.
You can follow Louise on Instagram, where you can appreciate how much nature influences her work and steers her creative direction.
Her colour palettes, along with her subject matter, are derived from the world she sees, and there’s a calmness throughout her work that is deeply satisfying.
Louise is not the only textile landscape artist we’ve featured on here and it is wonderful to see how much of the natural world is influential for so many different artists. If you want more artistic inspiration, Cas Holmes’ Textile Landscape book is a great source of ideas.
You can enjoy more of Louise Watson’s Textile art, sketches, and inspiration on her blog! Or visit the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen website to purchase her art!
