Threaded Forms: The Delicate Textile Art of Meredith Woolnough

Australian artist Meredith Woolnough captures the intricate patterns of the natural world through a unique medium: freehand machine embroidery. Working from her studio in Newcastle, she creates ethereal textile sculptures inspired by coral, leaves, seed pods and other organic forms, each one a celebration of nature’s complexity and fragility.

Using a specific technique she first discovered during her fine art studies, Meredith “draws” with her sewing machine on a special water-soluble fabric. Once the stitching is complete, the fabric is washed away, leaving behind only the delicate network of thread. These embroidered structures are often moulded into sculptural forms and mounted so they appear to float above the surface, casting intricate shadows and enhancing their airy, lace-like quality.

Meredith’s pieces have been exhibited and collected around the globe, and she shares her expertise through workshops, online courses and books, including Organic Embroidery, which is available on Amazon.

You can explore more of her work and learn about her creative process on her website and Instagram.

More art on the grid via Instagram