Moody Skies & Reflected Stillness: Textile Inspiration from Akureyri, Iceland

Tucked away in northern Iceland, Akureyri offers something many artists crave — not just dramatic landscapes, but also quiet poetry. When I visited, the skies were low and heavy, clouds stretching close to the water. At first glance, everything seemed still and subdued, but look a little closer — and the atmosphere hums with subtle inspiration.

This blog continues my series on turning travel photos into stitched stories. This time, we’re embracing mood, contrast, and minimal beauty as design tools in your textile work.

📍 Akureyri in Stillness

The image I captured (see below) was taken on a grey morning. The water was motionless, like glass. A small footbridge created a perfect arc of line against the horizontal shore. Grasses clung to the rocks at the water’s edge. Reflections softened the view, and beneath the still surface, pebbles and plants waited, just visible through the pale blue-green water.

At first, it might not seem like a “bold” source of inspiration. But here’s the beauty: textile art doesn’t have to shout. Some of the most compelling pieces whisper. And this scene? It's all about quiet contrast, soft drama, and natural design.

🔍 Breaking Down the Image for Textile Design

1. Line

The footbridge creates a strong structural arc — a perfect compositional anchor.

The waterline, horizon, and distant hills offer soft horizontal lines, grounding the composition.

The grasses growing among the rocks add tiny vertical interruptions, perfect for breaking up symmetry.

Use in textiles:

Try free motion stitched arcs, or couching down black thread or cording to mimic the bridge.

Quilt or stitch soft horizontal lines to represent mist or water layering.

Hand-stitch vertical grasses using fine straight stitches, seed stitches or scrim for a gentle textured effect.

2. Colour

A gentle, tonal palette:

Misty greys and silvers

Pale teal and slate blue

Olive and soft yellow from the grasses

Neutral stone and dark charcoal

Use in textiles:

Work with a limited palette to reflect the moody, subdued tones.

Layer dyed sheers or gauze over painted backgrounds for a misted, veiled effect.

Add pops of warmer mossy greens and ochres in the lower section to anchor the eye.

3. Texture

The surface of the water is glassy, but underneath we see gravel, stone, and plant textures.

The contrast between smooth water and rugged shoreline is ripe for tactile exploration.

Use in textiles:

Use velvet, organza, or smooth cotton sateen for the water.

Contrast that with rougher weaves, free motion stitched rocks, or needle-felted edges.

Incorporate natural fibres like scrim or burlap for rocky areas and foliage.

4. Shape & Space

The image plays beautifully with negative space — that calm expanse of water invites breathing room.

Shapes are simple: arcs, lines, and soft organic clusters (grasses, underwater rocks).

Use in textiles:

Don’t overcrowd your design — let areas of plain fabric show through.

Use transparent overlays to suggest the layered visibility of water.

Focus on balance between structured and organic form.

🪡 Creating Your Own Piece: “Quiet Crossing”

Why not use this photo as a jumping-off point for your own textile piece?

Try this approach:

Sketch the bridge arc and waterline.

Build layers from the background forward: soft painted sky, sheer overlay, stitched line of the bridge, then textured rocks and stitched grasses.

Add hand-stitched ripples or shimmering thread for moments when the light breaks through the clouds.

💭 Final Thoughts

Textile inspiration doesn’t always come from the boldest colours or the grandest views. Sometimes it arrives quietly, under a grey sky, reflected in still water. Akureyri gave me that — a moment of calm contrast, softened by mist, shaped by line and light.

Next time you find yourself somewhere quietly beautiful, take the photo. Capture the mood. And later, when you return to your fabrics and threads, see what stories it might tell through stitch.