Where Meadows & Gardens Grow – the Joy of Texture

Behind the sublime simplicity of Jo Butcher’s landscape designs, a close inspection shows that they are filled with a range of different stitches, colours and fibres that combine to create a beautiful whole.

One of the results of this is that so many of her pieces are filled with countless different textures, just as you would find in nature.

Texture can be achieved many ways. In embroidered art it is usually created from the choice of stitches, however, it is also possible to create texture using contrast between background and foreground, as well as using different types of threads or fibres.

If you look out your window and try to count all the different textures you see, you will probably struggle to identify them all.

The eye jumps from one to another, seeing something smooth here; something jagged there; a sharp point up there or a soft surface lower down.

Jo doesn’t try to include every possible texture in her work, lest they be too busy. The reason her designs are so loved is that she keeps them simple and gives the impression that she’s creating an infinite number of textures through her carefully selected stitches.

It is thanks to the different textures that Jo has perfected, that the elements of each project stand out. For instance, if you look at Alliums & Topiary, you’ll first be captured by the pom-pom like tree in the centre of the design.

The fluffy effect has been achieved by Jo’s use of French knots, and is mirrored in the purple alliums that surround the tree. But texture works best when there is contrast, and in this piece, the plump round flowers are set against the long, slim, upright straight stitches that form the rest of the lush grass.

Finally, a cute twist is added to the tree’s stem that delights the eye and adds even more texture to this wonderful piece.

Similarly, the elegant project entitled Cow Parsley also uses contrasting textures to brilliant effect. It starts out with the painted fabric that, unlike many of the other projects, is part of the main subject rather than merely forming a backdrop.

The painted grasses appear to fade into the background, resulting in a subtle perspective and highlighting the textures of the stitched flowers. These are then created by liberally sprinkling French knots and detached chain stitches to form the flowers, stalks and leaves of the cow parsley. The result is a wonderful project filled with simple textures and tactile beauty.

Finally, Seascape also employs French knots to form the delicate flowers one finds in the dunes or near the shore. However, in this project, Jo switches fibres, including small areas of silk ribbon and perlé cotton to break up the stranded cotton stitches.

Indeed, she even switches fibres for the same flowers that places them in the foreground or drops them back, just as if you are really gazing out of your window on to a windswept ocean scene.

With each of these projects you can experiment with texture, seeing what you can achieve using a few stitches to represent the abundant beauty of the natural landscape.

Although Jo offers clear instructions for each project, they are all designed so that you can give your own artistic abilities some room to play. You can be confident that no matter what texture you discover with your needle, it will exist in nature along with thousands of others just waiting to be created.

Make Your Own Jo Butcher Originals

Alliums & Topiary

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Alliums & Topiary by Jo Butcher features globes of purple allium flowers echoed in the neatly clipped sphere of a topiary ball.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Alliums & Topiary includes everything* you need to re-create this vibrant scene: Fabric panels (including pre-printed panel), fabric stabiliser, embroidery threads and needles.

Cow Parsley

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Cow Parsley by Jo Butcher is a pretty field of wheat decorated with the delicate lace of white cow parsley flowers.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Cow Parsley includes everything* you need to re-create this pretty scene: Fabric panels (including pre-printed panel), embroidery threads and needles.

Seascape

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Seascape by Jo Butcher is stunning seaside scene where the water greets the sky surrounded by cow parsley, daisies and a scattering of tiny flowers.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Seascape includes everything* you need to re-create this stunning scene: Fabric panels (including pre-printed panel), ribbons, embroidery threads and needles.

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create these projects, please refer to the book.