There is something quietly compelling about embroidery that slows you down. It asks you to look longer, to notice small shifts in colour, texture and light. And few contemporary embroidery artists capture that sense of stillness as convincingly as Cassandra Dias.
Working in thread-painted landscapes, Cassandra’s embroidery sits in an intriguing space between tradition and contemporary practice. Her stitched scenes echo the brushwork and atmosphere of classical landscape painting. These are not decorative images; they are slow works, built stitch by stitch, inviting the viewer to pause.
In this episode of Textile Talk, we speak with Cassandra about the journey that led her to embroidery during the early months of the pandemic. She talks about and how a simple, self-taught practice grew into a distinctive artistic voice. She reflects on process, materials and technique, but also on the emotional pull of landscape, the therapeutic nature of stitching, and the quiet discipline required to create work that can take weeks and sometimes months to complete.
Our conversation also explores the making of her first book, Richly Stitched Landscape: Mastering Thread Painted Scenes, an ambitious and generous publication that brings her thread painting techniques to a wider audience. Thoughtful, open and refreshingly honest, this episode offers a rare insight into an artist whose work reminds us that embroidery can be both meditative and masterful.
Textile Talk with Cassandra Dias
Listen to the episode on your favourite podcast platform or click the link below to listen now.
The Journey Into Embroidery and Finding a Voice
Cassandra speaks openly about coming to embroidery later in life, having explored drawing, painting, collage, ceramics and silkscreen printing before ever picking up a needle. It was during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 that embroidery became more than a pastime. It offered a sense of focus, calm and creative purpose at a time when the world felt confined.
Learn how experimentation, curiosity and sustained practice helped Cassandra discover landscape embroidery as her true visual language. Rather than chasing trends, she followed what felt meaningful, allowing her work to evolve organically through repetition, observation and emotional connection.
Landscape as Memory, Escape and Mindfulness
Landscape plays a central role in Cassandra’s work. Not just as subject matter, but as an emotional device. In the podcast, she explains how stitching places she has visited, or dreams of visiting, allowed her mind to travel when physical movement was impossible.
This section offers insight into embroidery as a mindful practice, where repetitive stitching becomes a form of meditation. Cassandra reflects on how landscapes evoke calm and nostalgia, and how translating them into thread helps her remain grounded, balanced and creatively fulfilled.
Thread Painting Techniques and Materials
Cassandra shares detailed insight into her thread painting process, from fabric choice to needle selection and stitch density. She discusses why she favours cotton duck canvas for its strength, how she layers stitches for painterly depth, and how she blends colour through placement rather than mixing threads in the needle.
Listeners interested in technique will gain practical understanding of how texture, direction and stitch weight influence realism. Plus thoughtful tips on working patiently, managing dense stitching and adapting tools as pieces build in complexity.
From Embroidery Hoop to Finished Artwork
The episode explores Cassandra’s decision to present her work in embroidery hoops, embracing the format’s traditional roots while creating contemporary fine art. She explains how she works in larger hoops before transferring pieces into smaller display frames, ensuring every stitch reaches the edge.
Cassandra also offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes — discussing the backs of her embroideries, how she finishes them, and why she sometimes leaves a small “window” to reveal the hidden chaos of thread beneath the surface.
Writing Richly Stitched Landscape
One of the most revealing parts of the conversation centres on Cassandra’s first book, Richly Stitched Landscape: Mastering Thread Painted Scenes. She describes being approached by the publisher, navigating the scale of the project, and producing an extraordinary body of work under deadline.
Listeners will learn what the book contains — from foundational techniques and mini studies to full landscape projects that progress from beginner to advanced. Cassandra also reflects on the emotional challenge of such a large creative undertaking, and the pride that comes from seeing years of practice distilled into a single publication.
Staying True as an Artist
Throughout the episode, Cassandra returns to the importance of staying creatively honest. She discusses imposter syndrome, the pressure of public reception, and why creating work that brings personal joy matters more than external validation.
This section will resonate deeply with makers navigating the balance between personal expression and professional success, offering reassurance that sustainable creative careers are built on curiosity, experimentation and trust in one’s own voice.
Links
Listen to this exciting episode on your favourite podcast platform, or click here to visit the episode.
Website: https://www.cassandramdias.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassiemdias
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassiemdias
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassiemdias
Cassandra’s favourite Embroidery products.
