web links

The Web offers a wealth of information for embroiderers and those interested in embroidery.

The Embroiderers' Guild has chosen some of the most interesting and useful sites that we think you may wish to visit.

The sites are listed under five headings:

museum sites

Costume and textile museums and societies
Page of links from the Costumer's Manifesto
Museum of Costume
The Museum of Costume in Bath has a collection that has been Designated of National Importance.
Dutch Textile Museum
A centre for textiles (past, present and future), with working machinery as well as exhibitions.
York Castle Museum
A museum with a large costume and textile collection, including a permanent costume gallery.

textile organisations

The Textile Society
A forum for collectors, scholars and makers; a charity that funds all aspects of textile study, organises the Antique Textile Fair and produces a yearly journal.
Fine Cell Work
A registered charity that trains and pays inmates to do top quality embroidery and soft furnishings in prisons.
Scottish Embroidery Tutors
A group of regularly assessed, experienced tutors who aim to further the knowledge of embroidery and good design, and are prepared to teach day schools, week-end and week long courses. See the web site for details of classes.
The Embroiderers' Association of Canada
The only national embroidery organisation in Canada, which offers an extensive service to its members, including correspondence courses, a lending library, and a Youth Embroiderer section.
Computer Textile Design Group
Non-profit organisation dedicated to the use and development of the computer in textile design.
Embroiderers' Guild of America
 
European Textile Network
Web site of ETN, which promotes textile culture and heritage across Europe. The Embroiderers' Guild is a member organisation.
Practical Study Group
The PSG comprises a group of embroiderers and tutors and is affiliated to the Embroiderers' Guild.
Silk Painters Guild
The Silk Painters Guild has been established since the mid-1990s and has a number of branches in the UK.
Textile Conservation Centre
Leading centre for the conservation of textiles, based in Winchester.
The Conservation Register
aims to put those seeking conservation advice and expertise in touch with professionals.
Embroiderers' Guild Queensland Inc.
 
Royal School of Needlework
Founded in 1872, The Royal School of Needlework has a wealth of expertise in traditional embroidery, maintained through an Apprenticeship Scheme. It offers a variety of classes and a restoration and repair service, an online shop and needlework shop at Hampton Court Palace.

arts organisations

a-n Magazine
'The visual and applied artists site for UK news, information, resources, contacts, opportunities, artists' stories, careers advice and more.'
Crafts Council
The Crafts Council is the UK's national organisation for the promotion of contemporary crafts. Established in 1971, it is an independent body funded by the Arts Council of England, responsible for promoting fine craftsmanship, encouraging high standards and increasing public awareness of contemporary crafts and applied arts.
Photostore Online
Photostore is the Crafts Council's applied art research and commissioning tool, profiling over 1,000 selected designer-makers and featuring 50,000 images of their work. Now available online, Photostore's search options enable users to browse information on designer-makers efficiently, look at examples of their work and contact makers of interest from the user's desktop.
e-MAiLOUT
On-line version of the well-established magazine MAiLOUT, about all aspects of the participatory and community arts.
Arts Council England: Regions
Find out about Arts Council England in your region. Information on grants for the arts and other funding opportunities, current projects across the country, regional arts council members for each region, and regional news.
Voluntary Arts Network
VAN's site provides much information for the voluntary arts sector, including funding, organisational material.

commercial organisations

Hand & Lock
Leading supplier of all types of embroidery
Coats Crafts UK
Products, design ideas, techniques and games
House of Smocking
Smocking classes and workshops, smocking and embroidery supplies including smocking pleaters, transfer dots, books, patterns.
Madeira UK Ltd
Embroidery, decorative and sewing threads and related products for needlework, quilting, tapestry, crocheting, lacemaking, tatting, applique and textile crafts.
BBC Online - Antiques on the Web
Includes feature articles, buyers' guides, antiques 'knowhow' and selected exhibitions
www.twistedthread.com
website of prestigious The Knitting and Stitching Shows, held annually in October and November in London, Harrogate and Dublin
HobbyCraft
Store directions, craft events, project ideas and craft techniques, special offers and competitions, and a free e-newsletter 'Crafty News'.
www.crewelwork.com
everything for crewel work - kits, materials, help, advice and workshops
Fibrecrafts
supplies materials and equipment to embroidery artists, silk painters, dyers and others

embroidery and textiles

Kay Dennis
Kay is a stumpwork embroiderer, tutor, lecturer and author, and teaches the Embroiderers' Guild's City & Guilds stumpwork courses
Fashion links
From Hammersmith and West London College.
The Leeds Tapestry
The Leeds Tapestry is a magnificent collaged embroidery of 16 panels which tells the story of one city's life through the artistic work of its people.
Needlepoint from About.com
Needlepoint news, projects, resources - building a 'community of stitchers'
Soper Lane
Bringing the work of the 15th century English Silkwomen to life
Stitch Dictionary
Extensive textile shareware project from Sharon Boggon
UK Sites of Special Stitching Interest
Christine-Ann Martin's collection of UK stitching-related web sites and internet resources