Melody Ryder Designs

Melody Ryder was born in Cornwall and grew up as part of a creative family. It was almost inevitable that she would go on to study textiles, graduating in 2003. It wasn’t until quite a few years later when her first daughter was born that she really found her niche in creating freehand machine embroidered designs.

Melody Ryder’s lampshades incorporate simple, elegant designs inspired by the coastal landscapes, footpaths and gardens from around West Cornwall. Her vision is to create beautiful and functional pieces for everyday use.

She adores living in Cornwall with her husband, three children and two dogs – Ruby the Collie Springer and Dottie the Chihuahua cross.

Freehand embroidery, also known as free machine embroidery, is an exciting sewing technique that offers a canvas for artistic expression. This approach enables you to use your sewing machine to produce intricate designs using various shapes and profiles. It allows you to draw with thread, bringing to life your creative vision with an effortless flow of movement. In the skilled hands of textile artist Lucy, freehand embroidery takes on a new dimension as she employs this method to fashion her textiles inspired by Cornwall’s natural beauty. Her sewing machine becomes a creative tool, allowing her to craft stunning pieces that capture the essence of this idyllic location in a unique and captivating way.