Embroidery Love: Sarah K Benning

WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring

Talented American fibre artist Sarah K Benning creates beautifully detailed embroidered designs from her home in Menorca, Spain.

After graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2013 with a degree in Fine Art, Sarah discovered her love for embroidery while working as a nanny.

Her creations, often depicting natural scenes, plants and flowers, have gained her over 213 000 followers on Instagram. Pretty impressive.

Here are 10 prime examples of her pretty work.

This giant piece is coming along! It’s still a work in progress, but I’m hustling to get it finished for the group exhibition, Green, @boomgallery next month. If you’re in Newton, Australia mark your calendar for the opening reception June 10th!

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on May 13, 2016 at 6:07am PDT

There’s been a lot of speculation and I’ve received tons of inquiries, so I might as well spill the beans (I’ve never been good at secrets anyway): This is going to be the June #SKBDIY pattern! You can read more about my monthly pattern program at sarahkbenning.com/pattern-program or check out the current pattern/sign up for a multi-month subscription by following the link in my profile. ???

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on May 18, 2016 at 6:41am PDT

A look at what’s on my table this week. Hoping to finish these guys up over the weekend! ALSO, the lovely @sycamore_co shared an interview with me on their blog about living a simple + beautiful life. You can read all about how I attempt to do so by clicking the link in my profile. (Spoiler alert, I’m always a work in progress.)

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on May 12, 2016 at 5:58am PDT

Just a couple of color variations for this month’s #SKBDIY May Flowers pattern. It’s been so fun putting together different combinations that I don’t usually use!

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on May 7, 2016 at 2:05am PDT

Happy Friday!

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on Apr 22, 2016 at 5:31am PDT

Holy cow! All the available works have been snapped up! But new pieces are already in progress, so if you didn’t get what you wanted there’s always next time. As long as you keep wanting them, I’ll keep making them. (And probably even after) Thanks so much for all of your amazing support! ??? Just a friendly little reminder, putting an item in your shopping cart doesn’t reserve it. The entire checkout process must be completed for the item to be marked ‘sold’ and appear unavailable to others. I know this can be frustrating, but it’s out of my hands.

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on Apr 15, 2016 at 1:00pm PDT

Hands down my favorite piece to date! (And the most complex/detailed!) Plus, check out the amazing work of @handmadesammade in my previous post for this week’s #craftwithconscience maker ?

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on Apr 10, 2016 at 8:29am PDT

I can’t keep it a secret for a second longer! You can still get your hands on the #SKBDIY March mineral pattern, but April 1st it will be replaced with this new prickly pal! You can get all the details about my monthly pattern by following the link in my profile or by visiting sarahkbenning.com/pattern-program/ ? (Also, thanks for all the flower recommendations on my previous post!)

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on Mar 24, 2016 at 6:51am PDT

Today’s the day! New work will be available at 2 pm EST! (It’s going to be hard letting these girls go!)

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on Mar 4, 2016 at 12:43am PST

My studio is swimming in crystals and I’m so excited for tomorrow and the launch of my new monthly pattern program! I’m kicking things off with a little March Mineral Madness! Tomorrow, MARCH 1st, head over to my Etsy shop (don’t worry, I’ll update my profile link when it’s time) and sign up to receive DIY patterns directly to your inbox. In the meantime, you can follow the link to my website and read more about the program there. Also, happy Monday!

A photo posted by Sarah Benning (@sarahkbenning) on Feb 29, 2016 at 3:52am PST

View more of Sarah’s pieces on her website or follow her on Instagram to keep up to date with her latest designs.