Finding out about embroidery

• Embroidery is '...the art of enriching a background fabric with a wide variety of stitches in order to decorate it and create something beautiful…' (From 'Cross stitch and sampler book by Jan Eaton and Liz Mundle)
• You can find links to many useful embroidery web sites at Gateway to the Internet > Crafts > Embroidery

Embroidery samples

• For inspiration and delight, view a set of beautiful embroidery samples

Embroidery organisations

• To find out about all the main embroidery organisations and what they do – courses, conservation, exhibitions - see 'Embroidery organisations' on the Gateway page Craft > Embroidery
  

Embroidery museums and collections to visit

• For wonderful examples of embroidery and textiles visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Search under ‘embroidery’ on their website and don’t miss the ‘Shamiana’ section which includes work by two Bedford groups
• Other collections worth noting are at the Embroiderers’ Guild Museum in Hampton Court Palace, London, the Fashion Museum in Bath and the Gallery of Costume at Manchester Art Gallery (for embroidered fabrics used in tailoring and dressmaking)
• Closer to home, the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery has a costume collection of over 2,500 items from the 18th century to the 1970s and also houses the Thomas Lester Lace Collection. Currently closed for refurbishment, the gallery’s website gives you a flavour of its costume collection
  

Embroidery shows, fairs and exhibitions

• There are several useful websites which help you keep up to date with listings of the major embroidery shows:

The Embroiderers’ Guild, click ‘What’s on’ and then ‘Listings’, for shows, fairs and exhibitions in the UK; Creative Exhibitions (runs Stitch and Craft, the Festivals of Quilts and the Knitting and Stitching Show); International Craft and Hobby Fair (runs Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts, Sewing for Pleasure, Hobbycrafts, Fashion and Embroidery and Crafts for Christmas); and Nationwide Exhibitions (runs Stitch and Creative Craft Show)

Embroidery books

• For a selection of books available in Bedfordshire libraries, see Embroidery books

Embroidery magazines

• For a selection of magazines that showcase designers’ work and provide a source of information for embroidery projects, designs and techniques to inspire stitchers of all ages, see 'Embroidery magazines' on the Gateway page Craft > Embroidery

With thanks...

• The embroidery samples images and the information on which the embroidery pages are based were provided by avid stitcher Frances Wortley, contact for the Bedford Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild, e-mail bedsembroidery@aol.com