Wild Irish Flora Collection

I've had the privilege of living in Ireland my whole life. We grew up on the outskirts of Belfast. It was a busy and challenging urban life during the troubles. But the mundane of concrete and routines of unrest were dotted with moments of light, when we would escape to nature. As children we spent a lot of time on long walks in the mountains and forests (trying to keep up with the long legged adults!). But those long walks on little legs were always filled with moments of magic...sipping from a stream, climbing a stone wall, spotting deer, rabbits (and their scat of course), the flush of heather, unfurling ferns or hearing your soft hollow footsteps on the forest floor. There was also the browsing of Irish crafts and stew and a wee cuppa in the tea room. It was no surprise that I dreamed of living in the trees and the beauty of the surroundings set my imagination ablaze. 

It was this love of immersion in nature that led to the creation of Heather & Co. and what feels like the very heart of our work in the Wild Irish Flora Collection. The beautiful truth about nature is that time spent among it opens our imagination to capture it. And our connection to nature is an endless cycle of immersion and imagination, nurturing not only our creativity but our stillness. Unlike a tended garden...wild flowers ask nothing in return. They require no toil but instead grace us with rest and inspiration. 

My hope is that as you stitch these patterns, or simply read their stories, you too might find a little of that stillness.

The Collection 

The Wild Irish Flora Collection is a growing series of botanical embroidery patterns inspired by Ireland’s native flora and the beauty of slow stitching. As the seasons change and wild flowers emerge across forests, hedgerows and hillsides, the collection will follow their bloom through thread. 

Each pattern explores shape, movement and thoughtful placement through calming, rhythmical stitching.

Beginner Friendly Botanical Embroidery

These embroidery patterns are designed to feel approachable and restful to stitch. Using a small selection of stitches and balanced designs, the collection is suitable for both beginners and experienced embroiderers alike.

Rather than highly complicated techniques, the focus is on the rhythm and texture of painting nature in thread.

Patterns in the Collection 

Bluebells 

Bluebells is a simple botanical embroidery pattern inspired by the immersive beauty of native Irish bluebells. Expressing the feeling of sitting among vast waves of blue flowers, the pattern harnesses movement and the stillness of spring woodlands.

Read the Bluebells story

View the Bluebells pattern

 

Hawthorn

The Hawthorn pattern is inspired by the ancient trees of Slemish Mountain. Often known as Ireland's "Mayflower", hawthorn arrived this year with a reminder that nature does not hurry. Capturing the delicate beauty of white blossom amass across the branches, the pattern explores artistic impression and reassured me that we each bloom in our own time.

Read the Hawthorn story

View the Hawthorn pattern

 

Cow's Parsley 

Cow's Parsley is inspired by the soft drifts of white blooms that transform Irish hedgerows each summer. Often overlooked in favour of more showy flowers, Cow's Parsley encouraged me to slow my pace and notice nature's whispers. The pattern documents in thread its airy elegance and delicate textures...a study in subtle variation and the art of noticing.

Read the Cow's Parsley story

View the Cow's Parsley pattern

 

Buttercups 

This pattern features delicate flowers in different stages of bloom, capturing the sunshine of buttercups that graces Irish meadows and even our roadside verges. It reminded me to delight in the beauty of simplicity & that some of the greatest joys are found in the everyday. 

Read the Buttercups story

View the Buttercups pattern

 

Honeysuckle

Inspired by the rare beauty of the Honeysuckle that graces the humble Irish hedgerows each summer, the Honeysuckle pattern is a slow, therapeutic stitch. With no dense fill, colour changes or complicated stitches...you'll embroider soft airy leaves which give a strong yet elegant frame, allowing the Honeysuckle's otherworldly tubular flowers to take centre stage.

Read the Honeysuckle story

View the Honeysuckle pattern

 

More patterns will gradually be added to the Wild Irish Flora Collection as the seasons bloom.

Thoughtful Placement

One of my favourite things about embroidery is how easily it can transform practical objects into something personal. The patterns in the Wild Irish Flora Collection are designed not only for hoop art, but to be stitched on sewn projects too.

The designs can be worked on project bags, drawstring bags, linens and clothing, allowing embroidery and sewing to sit beautifully together.

Companion Sewing Projects

Each embroidery design in the Wild Irish Flora Collection pairs with a sewing pattern from The Maker’s Collection. Together they create practical projects, that organise your creative space, and a canvas for your stitching.

 

I hope these patterns encourage you to step outdoors and find inspiration in the beauty of nature around you. And as you stitch, may you find a little stillness there too.

Much love & gratitude 

Lisa xx