On an Instagram deep dive the other day, the Tory Daily editors stumbled upon @Acru_, a stunning embroidery account run by Amelia Dennigan. We’d been thinking about embroidery a lot since our Spring/Summer 2019 show, inspired by Tory’s parents’s travels — needlepoint was one of their favorite on-board pastimes during their trips at sea. Here, Dennigan tells us why she fell in love with the craft.
I picked up embroidery when…
I was super young. I remember finding my mum’s embroideries around the house and loved them. I was particularly drawn to how intricate they could be. Although, knitting was my first calling…I once knitted a cactus wearing a sombrero!
What I love about embroidery is…
The process. Because embroidery is so time-consuming, you spend a while developing small areas, which actually allows you to explore your subject in great depth. I find it quite freeing — but then, I tend to thrive under restrictions.
Embroidery as an escape…
Always. I’m lucky it’s such a portable art form; I tend to bring it with me most places or have a few projects lying around the house. I could be having an average day and then I’ll take out my embroidery and I’m instantly creating art. It’s brilliant.
I am often inspired by…
Everything, to be honest. Nature, interiors, art, architecture, my mum…but most of my pieces start with a color reference. So, I suppose if I see some color combination I really like, I’ll take it from there. A project I’m currently working on was inspired by a photo of a gold, emerald and clear glass antique chandelier against a pale blue wall. I just loved those colors together, so now they’re being stitched into a new terrazzo piece!
My dream vacation…
Anywhere our friends live. I love exploring a place with the advantage of local knowledge. Next on my list is Milan. For years I’ve wanted to visit Dimore Gallery; their use of color and textures is like nothing I’ve ever seen.