Learning from Hanny Newton

There is an embroiderer named Hanny Newton who is doing the most amazing metal thread embroidery. If you haven’t heard of her or seen her work, here is a link to her web site. Go there, look around and be amazed.

I follow her on Instagram and a few months ago she posted that she was offering online classes. I zipped over and signed up right away.

Why do I like her work so much? She “listens” to her materials. Her work seems to be inspired by line, texture and the threads with which she works. Her pieces aren’t fussy - they’re simply stunning.

Each class was two hours long and delivered on Zoom. Hanny had short presentations for us that she interspersed with drawing exercise and time for us to try the techniques.

Her teaching style is warm, friendly and supportive. Hanny encouraged us to experiment and to play with our threads, urging us to explore ideas that might seem far fetched but could turn into something interesting and beautiful.

Two pieces of gold passing thread with a scarlet core couched down with Pipers silk.

Here is the first wandering line I did during class. Notice how the couching stitches are different lengths and the distance between the stitches varies.

Addition of copper passing thread in 1, 2 and 3 strands, couched with Pipers Silk. Varied length and width of couching stitches.

During the week between classes, Hanny encouraged us to experiment with different techniques and to send her pictures of our work. In my Dad’s garage there is a large roll of gorgeous copper wire used for electrical work. I knew I wanted you use that to add a third dimension to my piece.

Different lengths and thicknesses of couching stitches were something I continued to explore and play with. I added a few more colors of silk and worked a spiral of passing thread. I couched down some copper passing thread over the shadow that the coils of copper metal wire had cast on the fabric.

Finished embroidery - notice the knot in the bottom right corner? Keep or cut off?

What is interesting about this piece is when I finished it, I decided I liked it a LOT better with the beginning bit at the top - so it’s “upside down”. The threads, couching stitches and coils all remind me of life’s progression: one begins in the womb, goes through the coiled tangle of life and finishes, leaving behind a thread.

Too philosophical a take? What do you see?