1. Where can I learn how to embroider with dried flowers and other natural materials?

Check out my book and my video tutorials! I occasionally also run workshops – keep updated by signing up to my newsletter.

2. How do you attach the flowers to the fabric? Do you stitch or glue them on?

I use a range of techniques depending on the situation – for example, what kind of flowers I’m working with and what kind of visual effect I’m trying to achieve. My book and tutorials have tips and tricks.

3. Do you use real or artificial flowers?

I don’t use artificial flowers at this time – all the natural materials I embroider with are dried or preserved. An advantage of preserved flowers is that they tend to be more supple than dried flowers, but an advantage of dried flowers is that you can dry them yourself. There’s also scope to experiment with fresh flowers, but this is more of a hit and miss approach.

4. How come the flowers are so bright and well preserved?

Flowers that are chosen for drying are typically varieties called “everlastings” – so called because they keep their shape and colour well. Not all flowers dry well – if you experiment with drying your own flowers, you'll find that some go brown.

5. Do you dry your flowers yourself? How?

I do – especially ones that I can’t find available for purchase, but that I can grow in my garden or collect on local walks. Although I do also buy a lot of my flowers. There are several ways to dry flowers depending on varieties check out my book for tips and process.

6. Where do you buy your flowers from?

It’s increasingly possible to find dried and preserved flowers in florists, craft shops and even supermarkets – but I buy a lot of mine from specialist suppliers. There are plenty of possibilities and searching online marketplaces is often a good place to start.

7. How long do the flowers last and keep their colour?

Dried flowers are fragile, but will bring you joy for many years if conditions in which they are kept are right. I’d recommend trying to protect them from exposure to direct sunlight, heat and moisture in particular.

8. Do you take commissions? How can I buy your work?

I’m always delighted to discuss potential commercial commissions for translating design ideas into products, or artistic commissions that challenge my creativity and skill. I wish I had time to take on more smaller-scale commissions – when I do, or when I have a work for sale, I’ll let you know on my newsletter and Instagram.

9. How can I use your work commercially?

If you want to use one of my designs or tutorials commercially, please get in touch to discuss licensing.