Stumbling into Stumpwork

Stumpwork has fascinated me from the start. Stumpwork, if you don’t know, is a type of embroidery that creates a 3-dimensional effect. This can be done with everything from stitching over padded stuffing to wire-rimmed leaves and insect wings that sprout from the fabric – and so, so much more. I love the texture possibilities with stumpwork, and the fact that your embroidery can curl off of the background towards you. There’s also something appealingly realistic to a piece with literal dimension. I’ve wanted to play with this for a long time.