In this captivating episode of the School of Stitched Textiles podcast, we speak with Amanda Cobbett, a British textile artist celebrated for her astonishingly lifelike embroidered fungi and woodland-inspired pieces. Known for pushing the boundaries of what thread can do, Amanda shares how she discovered her unique artistic voice, her deep love for the natural world, and how she’s carved a successful career as a textile artist with international acclaim.
Below, we break down the key topics covered in the conversation — perfect for pairing with Amanda’s rich imagery and process shots.
Textile Talk with Amanda Cobbett
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Amanda Cobbett
Amanda Cobbett’s creative journey began in the world of printed textiles, where she developed a strong interest in repeat patterns, surface manipulation, and the hands-on process of making. After studying at UCA Farnham and working in the fashion industry, she gradually moved towards machine embroidery—teaching herself the techniques that would later become the foundation of her distinctive style. While she always enjoyed drawing and pattern work, she admits that it wasn’t until she found her subject matter—fungi and natural forms—that her creative voice truly emerged.
In the episode, Amanda reflects on her early years, from printing onto fabrics to designing for the likes of Liberty and Jaeger. She explains how the process of experimentation and a need to create something more sculptural and rooted in observation led her to explore free machine embroidery more deeply. Her story shows how sometimes it’s not about making a huge leap, but about following creative instincts step by step until something just clicks.
An Unexpected Love Affair with Fungi
Amanda describes how an ordinary woodland walk changed the course of her artistic life. Fascinated by the overlooked details of the forest floor—particularly fungi—she began collecting, photographing, and sketching these curious organisms. Over time, they became the centre of her creative world. Amanda speaks with genuine awe and excitement about the textures, colours and architectural beauty of mushrooms, lichens and bark, sharing how they offered an endless source of inspiration and challenge.
In this section, she also discusses the emotional connection she feels to nature and the importance of encouraging others to look more closely at the world around them. Her stitched fungi aren’t just technically impressive; they’re an invitation to see beauty in places we often ignore. It’s a reminder that observation can be a radical, creative act.
From Paper Mâché to Raised Embroidery: Her Unique Process
One of the most intriguing parts of the interview is Amanda’s explanation of her creative process. Starting with a handmade paper mâché base, she builds up each piece using layers of thread, capturing the intricate detail of each mushroom’s surface through free machine embroidery. The effect is incredibly lifelike—many of her finished works are indistinguishable from real specimens. She reveals how everything is stitched rather than painted, which adds to the realism and tactility of her work.
Amanda also shares how her process is grounded in careful research and documentation. She spends time sketching her subjects and building up a reference library of textures, colours and forms. It’s a painstaking process that requires immense skill and patience, but for Amanda, it’s the slowness that allows her to become fully immersed in each piece. Her deep respect for nature is stitched into every fibre.
Sculptural Embroidery in a Fine Art World
Throughout the podcast, Amanda talks candidly about how she’s positioned her work within the fine art world rather than traditional craft circles. She shares her thoughts on pricing, exhibiting, and how she makes intentional choices about where and how to show her work. For Amanda, it’s important that her pieces are presented with the same level of seriousness and professionalism as any other contemporary artwork.
She touches on the challenges and rewards of educating audiences about the value of textile art, especially when it’s sculptural and labour-intensive. By placing her work in galleries and art fairs, Amanda has been able to reach collectors and art lovers who may not have previously encountered textiles in this form. It’s clear that she sees herself as a fine artist first and foremost—one who just happens to use thread as her medium.
Final Reflections: Nature, Time and Looking More Closely
In the final part of the episode, Amanda returns to what lies at the heart of her work: the relationship between time, nature and observation. She talks about how the slow, methodical nature of her practice is almost meditative, and how this slowness helps her connect deeply with her surroundings. Her stitched pieces are not just artistic representations—they are, in many ways, acts of devotion.
Amanda leaves us with a powerful message about the value of noticing small things. She shares how people have told her that they now stop and look at fungi differently, or that her work has changed how they engage with nature. It’s a moving conclusion to an episode that celebrates the extraordinary beauty of the ordinary and the quiet power of paying attention.
🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
