Nature in Thread: Sculptural Embroidery with Meredith Woolnough

Meredith Woolnough is an Australian artist internationally recognised for her innovative sculptural embroidery practice. Using a domestic sewing machine as an unconventional drawing tool, she creates intricate embroidered artworks inspired by the structures and patterns found in nature. Her work explores the delicate networks that underpin the natural world, from botanical forms to marine organisms. Meredith holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours First Class), majoring in Textiles, from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Teaching from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Natural History Illustration (with Distinction) from the University of Newcastle. This unique combination of artistic, educational and scientific training informs both her creative practice and teaching approach. Over the past two decades, Meredith's work has been exhibited extensively throughout Australia and internationally, including solo exhibitions at the CSIRO Discovery Centre, Timeless Textiles Gallery and The Milk Factory Gallery. Her work is held in the permanent collections of Wangaratta Art Gallery and Tamworth Regional Gallery, as well as numerous private collections worldwide. Meredith is the author of the book Organic Embroidery (Schiffer Publishing, 2018) and The 100 Embroideries Project (2023). Her work has been featured in numerous international publications, including Inspirations Magazine, Embroidery Magazine (UK), Textile Fibre Forum, Art Collector and We Are Makers. In 2023 she was awarded second place in the Mr X Stitch Contemporary Needlework Prize for Machine Embroidery, and in 2026 received a Better Homes & Gardens Creator Award. A passionate educator, Meredith teaches students worldwide through workshops and online programmes, sharing the distinctive techniques she has developed throughout her professional practice. Her teaching encourages students to combine careful observation, technical skill and creative experimentation to develop their own unique artistic voice.