The Moth by Di van Niekerk

Tiny lilac-blue flowers encircle a curling stem fashioned from twisted silk ribbon while lush striking green leaves extend outward as if to greet an incoming visitor - the moth.

The Moth by Di van Niekerk from Inspirations magazine issue #127 captures a moment of natural beauty with gentle dimension and exquisite detail.

Designed as a companion piece to the project Campanula & Butterflies from Inspirations magazine issue #123, this design is based on a second image by the renowned entomologist and artist Maria Sibylla Merian.

The original artwork, reproduced with permission from the British Museum, forms part of an album of 160 drawings titled Merian’s Drawings of European Insects &c.

At first glance, the scene appears as a simple botanical study. But look a little closer and you’ll discover something more, an understated depiction of the moth’s life cycle, from caterpillar to pupa to winged adult.At first glance, the scene appears as a simple botanical study. But look a little closer and you’ll discover something more, an understated depiction of the moth’s life cycle, from caterpillar to pupa to winged adult.

It’s a gentle transformation, so seamlessly integrated into the composition that the viewer may not notice it straight away.

The caterpillar quietly traverses a nibbled leaf, the pupa nestles gently among the flowers above, and the moth, beautifully layered in shades of golden copper, prepares its approach.

As with Campanula & Butterflies, The Moth is stitched over a pre-printed linen panel, with selected elements worked separately on printed cotton before being applied as raised details.

This technique adds dimension to the finished work and ensures perfect placement of each element. The result is a seamless fusion of print and embroidery, where the underlying illustration and stitched embellishments work in harmony.

Using all her trademark creative brilliance, Di has done a superb job translating this drawing into a stunning embroidery.Using all her trademark creative brilliance, Di has done a superb job translating this drawing into a stunning embroidery.

Whether stitched on its own or alongside Campanula & Butterflies, The Moth offers the opportunity to recreate an exquisite moment of transformation, interpreted through the hands of one of today’s most distinctive embroidery artists.

With a finished design measuring 19.5cm x 14.5cm (7¾" x 5¾"), Ready-to-Stitch kits are now available for this wonderful piece and include both the pre-printed background and pre-printed panels for the stumpwork elements, along with all the wire, embroidery threads, ribbons, beads and needles.

Kit and instructions (sold separately) are available using the link below.