Artistic embroidery according to Clémence Hyvonnet

Artistic Encounter

Having completed a vocational qualification in clothing design and tailoring and a diploma in textile arts with a specialisation in gold embroidery at the Lycée Gilles Jamain in Rochefort-sur-Mer, Clémence Hyvonnet devotes herself to creating textile paintings, embroidered textile sculptures and, on occasion, even embroidered textile jewellery or samples – research projects intended for various fields such as art, fashion and interior design...

At the same time, she runs workshops for adults and children, where everyone can get hands-on with the materials and set about creating their own pieces.

Sewing, fashion design, artistic research: slow and meticulous work

As a child, my first calling was teaching, which I practise today in my own way. As a teenager, I developed a passion for sewing and fashion design, which led me to realise that my true affinities lay more specifically in drawing, colour, hand stitching, detail, materials, artistic research, and slow, meticulous work. In a way, this is what led me to embroidery...  

Fascinated by traditional textile techniques and artistic craftsmanship from around the world, I now create, exclusively by hand, embroidered works and jewellery that celebrate this patience and this slowness.

A love of nature 

My love of nature, plants and gardening inspires me greatly... Through my work, I try to convey the emotions I feel when observing my cultivated garden and wild landscapes.

Similarly, I am also deeply moved by the poetry and subtlety of Japanese artistic culture, and by the worlds of drawing and painting, which I believe are closely linked to that of embroidery. I invite the viewer to slow down, to become aware of their surroundings, and to marvel. I am committed to infusing my works with fantasy, dreams, joy, fulfilment, gentleness and beauty. 

I reinterpret classical techniques by transposing them into a more contemporary context and work as much as possible with vintage or second-hand materials.  

I embroider using needlework and Lunéville crochet on stretched fabric, often on silk.

Using these two techniques allows me to practise a wide range of methods. I am particularly fond of the chain stitch and the riche stitch in Lunéville crochet, which allow me to create a beautiful edge finish and subsequently cut out embroidered motifs with complex shapes.

I also make extensive use of couching, particularly with metallic thread, needle painting, as well as beading and applying sequins. I enjoy mixing various materials: cotton threads, metallic threads, fine pearls—matt, opaque, iridescent or transparent—embroidery sequins with multiple reflections, silk ribbon, wool, canetille and jaseron (traditional metallic elements used in gold embroidery).​​​​​​​

A sketch, to let the materials and colours speak for themselves...

My work often begins with a sketch, but sometimes I work in a more abstract way, without a preliminary outline, to allow the materials and colours to speak more freely. Striving to transform and enhance the fabric, I enjoy creating delicate flat patterns or raised elements.

I produce exhibition pieces (paintings, sculptures, samples) designed to inspire ideas for bespoke commissions, and I offer embroidered jewellery for direct sale, notably at Séquence (read our article) in Uzès. 

Workshops for everyone

For years now, I have been sharing my enthusiasm, creativity and knowledge through workshops for adults and children. The adult workshops currently take place at the Séquence boutique in Uzès, on Avenue Général Vincent, mentioned earlier, which is a partner.

These workshops are great fun and creative, suitable for all levels. You’ll make rapid progress in a friendly, supportive atmosphere, working in small groups (maximum 4 people). You choose a design from a range of patterns I’ve created in advance. We start with a brooch. After that, any project is possible. Paintings, customisation, jewellery, embroidery on paper... A wide range of materials is also available. You’ll therefore have the pleasure of making choices between colour palettes and materials, always under my guidance.

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Many thanks to Clémence Hyvonnet for her collaboration to the blog.

The right address: Find Clémence Hyvonnet on Instagram and Facebook. Contact: c.hyvonnet@gmail.com.