Who we are
Preston Embroiderers' Guild is a lively, exciting place to come and enjoy yourself. Play our short welcome video opposite to get a feel of what we are about. Then do come along. You won't regret it.
The Embroiderers’ Guild is a national organisation with 196 Branches and approximately 10,000 adult members who all share a passion for the art of embroidery and a desire to meet people with similar interests.
The Preston Branch is an established friendly group which currently has 42 members.
Due to Covid -19 we are currently not meeting, however we normally meet on the first Saturday of the month from 10am to 4pm and from September to June and we will update this page when meetings resume. Please use our contacts page if you would like to be notified when we will be restarting.
 We have a varied programme of Day Schools and Workshops each month. Day Schools are given by nationally and regionally acclaimed tutors where we learn new techniques and skills and we also have occasional lectures on a variety of textile based subjects. 
Invited speakers may inspire with a talk about their own work, others may lecture on the history of textiles or techniques of other countries, such as batik or talk about their embroidery related travels.
Workshops are given by our own members who have a wide range of skills in embroidery and textiles, craft and design both traditional and contemporary and are more than willing to offer advice. There won’t be many areas we don’t know about!
We have recently introduced a mentoring scheme for members who wish to learn about specific techniques as we have members who are expert in fine traditional stitch including gold work, black work, crewelwork, cross-stitch, and Wessex stitch. Others can help with patchwork and quilting, or perhaps you would be interested in ‘Art’ doll making? Felt making and needle felting are skills we can share as well. We have members who specialise in free machine embroidery, hand embroidery or fabric manipulation.
If you prefer you can come and bring your own work, ask for help if necessary and share ideas.
Each month we have a sales table and a raffle, we have a small library of books and DVD’s to lend out and we have branch competitions and exhibitions.
Every other year we hold a major exhibition of our work. Read about our 2019 exhibition 'Shorelines and Seascapes'  in the 'Other News' tab and take a look at the 'gallery' which has photographs
​of all the exhibits. 

We also hold 'pop-up' exhibitions and workshops and have joined in 'National Celebration of Stitch Day' at different libraries in Preston to help spread the word about the Guild showing our members' work and sharing our skills with the public.

Take a look at our ‘Gallery’ to see our 60th Anniversary piece- a timeline of postcards showing events and designs from around Preston and Lancashire.

If you enjoy sewing or want to learn a new embroidery related skill or just spend time stitching in the company of like-minded people, beginner or expert, this is the place to be.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
(Requirements for the next workshop can be found   in the notices tab)
All events start at 10 am unless marked otherwise.

​Programme for 2021
​Due to Covid 19 we are currently not meeting however we are holding meetings via Zoom from January 2021

Saturday 3rd April 
2:00-4:00pm
Islamic Inspiration-
Black work Embroidery in Architecture
Talk with Liz Almond
​
Saturday 24th April
Merseyside are planning a virtual 2021 Regional Day

Saturday ​1st May
2:00-4:00pm
Indian Embroidery and North Country Quilts-
Talk by Helen Barnes

Saturday 5th June
2:00-4:00pm
 National Celebration of Stitch- Activity

25th-27th June
NW Regional Summer School
Waddow Hall
 Eco Dyeing
Kantha work/Shisha Mirrors  

Saturday 3rd July
2:00-4:00pm
  Strawberry Tea.
Strawberries and tea or prosecco required!
Stitch a Strawberry item for the meeting.
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Hopefully we will be meeting at St. Andrews from September so this is what has been planned.
10:00am
Saturday 4th September 
  A.M: Stitch and Chat
P.M: Branching Out
​Talk with Valerie Wartelle
 
Saturday 2nd October
  AM: A.G.M.
PM: Alice Moore a Detective Story 
Talk with Monica Selway.

 Saturday 23rd October
NW. Region Open Day
at
​Barton Village Hall.

Saturday 6th November
Tyvek Flowers
Workshop with Kath Roberts

Saturday 4th December
 Christmas Dinner – to be arranged
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