Stitching nature into existence with Amanda Cobbett

The sound of the sewing machine is the soundtrack to my life.
My stitching is my timeline.

- Amanda Cobbett
🔊

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Stitching nature into existence with Amanda Cobbett
In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Cobbett, an award-winning textile artist whose stunning embroidered sculptures bring the intricate textures of nature to life. From delicate fungi to organic bark formations, Amanda’s work blurs the line between scientific observation and creative craft. If you’ve ever felt tempted to try your hand at free-hand embroidery, been mesmerised by the beauty of fungi (or just wondered how someone could embroider a toadstool so convincingly it might start sprouting spores), this episode’s for you.

Show Notes

Takeaways from this episode:

Look closer: the magic is in the details.
Amanda’s textile art proves that the tiniest things - lichen, fungi, textures on bark - can be truly wondrous if we just take the time to notice. What small details have you been overlooking?


There are no rules in creativity.
Amanda never formally trained in embroidery, yet she’s honed her own techniques by experimenting, making mistakes, and figuring things out as she goes. You don’t need permission to create - you have everything you need to begin!


Slow down and let inspiration find you.
Amanda’s best ideas come from quiet, unhurried walks in nature. Whether it’s walking through the forest, pottering in your backyard, or just gazing out the window, where could you give yourself space to slow down and notice more?

Join the conversation

What inspired you this episode? Share your biggest insight or favourite moment by tagging @TakeTwoArtCourses or using #FibreArtsPodcast

Explore the artwork from this episode below

During the live interview, we shared some images of Amanda’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below.

fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettThe Hurtwood forest copy2 (1)
1 The Hurstwood Forest - Amanda's Studio in Surrey Hills
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettSunset over the fields behind our house
2 Sunset over the fields behind our house - Amanda’s Studio in Surrey Hills
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettOpen pastureland
3 Open Pastureland
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettBracket fungi, Made for Chelsea Flower Show Meta Garden
4 Bracket fungi, Made for Chelsea Flower Show Meta Garden
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbett22-146
6 Untitled
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbett22-147
7 Untitled
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettOpen pastureland
8 Open Pastureland
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettForaged twig with lichen and fungi
9 Foraged twig with lichen and fungi
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettFront lawn Bowhill
10 Looking at a windfall specimen
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettA selection of windfall twigs collected around Bowhill House.tif

11 A selection of windfall twigs collected around Bowhill House

fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettFrullania dilatata, Dicranoweisia cirrata,
12 Frullania dilatata, Dicranoweisia cirrata
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettAmanita Muscaria.
13 Amanita Muscaria
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettAmanita Muscaria
13 Amanita Muscaria
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbett24-189
15 Untitled
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettDrumlanrig, Buccleuch Estate
14 Drumlanrig, Buccleuch Estate
fibre_arts_take_two_amanda_cobbettFront lawn Bowhill
17 Front lawn Bowhill

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