Embroiderers’ Guild Summer Exhibition reels in the crowds

Life’s rich tapestry was on display in the Marlborough and District Embroiderers’ Guild Summer Exhibition, held in Kennet Valley Hall this weekend, June 24, 25.

The exhibition was the culmination of two year’s work from the Guild’s sixty four members. Visitors, over a hundred a day, came from far and wide, from Ilminster, from Basingstoke, from Wales.

Ros Lomas, Publicity, told marlborough.news, “It’s been wonderful. The variety of work on display is amazing.”

“The exhibition gives members a chance to show what they do and to show visitors their skills,” added Ann Smith, Joint Chair of the Guild.

The exhibition displayed a variety of textile art and embroidery, some handstitched, some machine stitched, some made on an embellisher. There were examples from the many different workshops run by guest lecturers that members had participated in such as: Making Dorset Buttons, Japanese Stencilling, Frame Tapestry Weaving,Coiled Pots and Baskets.

There was something for everyone. Maria Fraser ran a special workshop for children. The Guild are keen to encourage young embroiderers and run special workshops for them every half term.

Many of the different styles of textile art were on display in the special project, Take a Line. Members had created pieces of textile art on a specifically sized canvas. A wide range of colours, fabrics, textures and designs was used with a line incorporated into the design.

These pieces will also be displayed at Gallery 81, the West Country Quilt and Textile Show at the University of the West of England from August 30 until September 1.

As well as making and wearing their own handcrafted rosettes, members also demonstrated a range of skills to visitors. Clare Russell, Joint Chair of the Guild, demonstrated the craft of Rug Ragging which makes rugs out of old blankets with moth holes, coats and pieces of tweed using the Proggy technique.