A little more about Stumpwork and my embroidery kits…

Embroidery has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with traditional techniques being interwoven in beautiful contemporary projects. My favourite embroidery technique, which has captured the imagination of stitchers worldwide, is 3D Sculptural Embroidery.

3D Sculptural embroidery, also known as Stumpwork, Raised Work or Padded embroidery, is an age-old technique that adds depth and dimension to embroidered art. Unlike traditional flat embroidery, stumpwork incorporates three-dimensional elements that are raised from the surface of the fabric, creating stunning visual effects.

Originating in 17th-century England, stumpwork was favoured by aristocratic women who adorned their garments with elaborate motifs and embellishments. Today, stumpwork continues to enchant embroiderers with its intricacy, offering endless possibilities for creative expression.

Sculptural embroidery is a fascinating and intricate form of embroidery that has limitless possibilities of what can be achieved when used. I have listed some of the ways you can use the technique below but the possibilities really are endless!

Create Dimensional Designs: Stumpwork allows you to create designs that stand out from the fabric, adding depth and dimension to your embroidery projects. You can create raised motifs such as flowers, animals, insects, and more.

Embellish Clothing and Accessories: Use stumpwork embroidery to embellish clothing items like jackets, shirts, dresses, or accessories like bags, hats, and scarves. The raised designs can add a unique and luxurious touch to your wardrobe.

Make Framed Artwork: Stumpwork pieces can be framed and displayed as artwork. Create elaborate scenes or intricate floral arrangements that serve as stunning decorative pieces for your home.

Decorate Home Textiles: Enhance home textiles such as pillowcases, tablecloths, curtains, and cushion covers with stumpwork embroidery. The raised designs can add texture and visual interest to everyday items in your home. (I’ve even added it to wallpaper!)

Personalise Gifts: Handcrafted stumpwork pieces make thoughtful and personalised gifts for special occasions. You can create custom designs that hold personal meaning for the recipient, such as their favourite flowers, animals, or motifs.

Combine Techniques: Stumpwork can be combined with other embroidery techniques such as goldwork, silk shading, and beadwork to create even more intricate and luxurious designs.

Create Jewellery: Use stumpwork embroidery to make unique and intricate embroidered jewellery pieces such as brooches, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. The raised designs add a tactile element to your jewellery creations.

Why choose the embroidery kits offered by Lucy Martin Embroidery?

Quality of Materials: I have curated the bespoke embroidery kits offered through my website with the finest of materials sourced from reputable suppliers. The highest quality of threads, wires and written instruction documents have been put into these kits to make your stitching experience the best it can be! 

Comprehensive Instructions: Each kit comes with a complete booklet with clear and easy-to-follow instructions. Each kit booklet contains detailed guidance on stitching techniques, thread placement and finishing touches. Taking you from the very beginning of your design to the final 3D product. 

Innovative Techniques: Each of the bespoke kits I have created utilises unique and experimental techniques I have personally developed from my own experimentation and design exploration. The techniques and designs are rooted in traditional hand embroidery practice but offer a contemporary flair keeping each of the projects fresh and creative. 

Environmental and Ethical Considerations: I always prioritise sustainability through my choices when creating embroidery kits. I always aim to source my materials from small businesses who champion ethical practices and use recyclable materials when packing your kits.

The benefits of hand embroidery for mindfulness 

Embroidery can be a mindfulness-enhancing activity for several reasons:

Focused Attention: Embroidery requires you to concentrate on each stitch, the tension of the thread, and the placement of your needle. This focused attention helps to quiet the mind and brings your awareness to the present moment, similar to the practice of mindfulness meditation.

Repetitive Motion: The repetitive motion of stitching can induce a state of relaxation and calmness. This rhythmic movement can be soothing and help alleviate stress and anxiety. The repetitive nature of embroidery allows your mind to enter a meditative state, promoting mindfulness and presence.

Engagement of Senses: Embroidery engages multiple senses, including sight, touch, and sometimes even sound (the sound of the needle passing through the fabric). Being fully present and attentive to these sensory experiences can deepen your connection to the activity and increase mindfulness.

Creative Expression: Embroidery is a form of creative expression that allows you to channel your thoughts and emotions into your work. Engaging in creative activities has been shown to promote mindfulness by encouraging self-expression and fostering a sense of flow—a state of complete immersion and focus in an activity.

Mindful Observations: As you embroider, you may notice intricate details in your work or become more attuned to the subtle variations in colour and texture. This mindful observation encourages you to appreciate the beauty in the present moment.

Why should you try an embroidery kit? 

One of the key advantages of embroidery kits is their accessibility. Whether you're a novice embroiderer or a seasoned stitcher, my kits provide a maker-friendly introduction to stumpwork embroidery, allowing crafters of all skill levels to unleash their creativity and create beautiful works of art.

Additionally, embroidery kits offer ample room for customisation and personalisation. While kits provide a foundation to work from, crafters can experiment with different stitches, colour schemes, and embellishments to put their own unique spin on each project. This flexibility encourages creativity and allows stitchers to express their individual style through their embroidery creations. If for example you wanted to stitch the Blush Rose kit in a yellow thread rather than a red, simply swap out the red threads for yellow ones! 

In summary, stumpwork embroidery kits offer a gateway to the enchanting world of embroidery, providing crafters with the tools and inspiration they need to embark on their stitching journey. With their accessibility, convenience, and creative potential, DIY embroidery kits are revolutionising the crafting industry and empowering enthusiasts to explore new techniques and express their artistic vision with confidence. So why wait? Dive into the world of stumpwork embroidery today and discover the joy of creating beautiful works of art with your own hands.