Gail Thexton recounts the history of a long-standing and friendly stitching guild.
In 1960 three forward-looking women put out a call for interested people with a love of embroidery to join together. A large number of people responded, and a group was formed.
This group, soon to be known as The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria, has flourished over the following sixty-plus years, eventually becoming incorporated and overseen by a Board of Directors. In 1982 a property located at 170 Wattletree Road, Malvern was purchased and renovated. It’s now called ‘Embroidery House’ and has meeting rooms, an office, a library and a large gallery for displays and exhibitions. The organisation has grown to include 12 branches across Victoria with membership in excess of 1100 members.
The foremost aim of The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria is to promote the enjoyment of embroidery and to teach at every level, from beginner to expert. This is assisted by maintaining a high standard of design and technique, providing a meeting place and source of information, training tutors, and conducting numerous classes. As well, general meetings are held monthly at Embroidery House with a guest speaker, and a themed display of members’ work is hung in the gallery every month.
The education aspect of the Guild is the most important and we hold regular classes midweek and particularly weekends with talented tutors sourced locally, nationally and internationally in a variety of techniques of traditional or creative styles of work. This educational aspect is then continued through each year commencing each January with our Summer School where the focus is on many projects and designs with classes held every day over a three-week period in a summer holiday atmosphere of relaxed learning.
Every week and month, many stitching groups meet in private homes throughout the Melbourne suburbs, at Embroidery House and in regional areas associated with each country branch. These groups not only enable stitchers to enjoy embroidery together but also provide fellowship and friendship for many members. Guild members are encouraged to share their work with fellow members, and stitch construction, sources of supply and colour selection may well be the subject of lively conversation.
Many branches support their local agricultural shows and other craft-related activities in their region with physical attendance, work exhibitions and financial sponsorship. The Guild sponsors the winners of several categories of classes at the Melbourne Royal Show each year and is proud to be part of the associated craft activities and interests.
Guild membership has many benefits, many of which cannot be quantified. An extensive library is held at Embroidery House for members to borrow from or use for research. The Guild also holds a Lace Collection, Historical Tools Collection, and the EGV Collection of significant embroidery from past and present times. These are available for members viewing whether it be for interest or research purposes.
EGV membership gives members a discount on class costs, but class participation is also available to non-members. Our monthly newsletter Threadlines provides this advice as well as further information and details which can be found on the Guild website www.embroiderersguildvic.org.
An all-members exhibition is held annually at Embroidery House, the roots of which go back to our first exhibitions held biennially at the Georges department store in Collins Street, Melbourne. Preparation is well underway for our 2024 exhibition, entitled “Making Waves” to be held from Saturday, October 12 – Sunday, October 27 at Embroidery House in Malvern.
Other events are scheduled throughout the year. Many of these assist with Guild funds as well as bringing members together with their interest of stitching and textiles.
Often stitchers are of the idea that one needs to be a competent stitcher to even contemplate membership of the EGV, but in fact the opposite is true. The Guild (meaning of the word is “a group who have the same interest”) meets you wherever you are on your stitching journey, from beginner to experienced or anywhere in between, and our classes and groups reflect this. There are classes and learning and sharing opportunities at all levels along the way. The interest and love of stitching breaks down barriers and promotes an atmosphere of interest in sharing and caring amongst the members.
We understand that younger interested stitchers have many time conflicts and family pressures, so while classes can be held midweek most are scheduled on weekends, there are after-hours and weekend groups that working members can be part of. The Guild continues to extend its activities and classes to meet the growing needs and request of members and others.
We meet in a comfortable environment that is both stimulating and relaxing. As a member, there is much available to accompany your stitching journey both in resources and friendship. Our country branches reflect this as much as the activities of Embroidery House in Malvern. Access to Embroidery House can be gained through public transport by tram or train (20 minutes from Melbourne CBD) or private car.
Member involvement can be as little or as much as to suit the individual. The Guild is run on volunteer power in every aspect, from assisting at our De-Stash markets to helping in the library, answering the phone, or helping out when there’s an exhibition running. Members can choose the level of involvement that suits them and this ranges from a regular commitment to simply belonging to an interest group, or just being an occasional stitcher joining classes or groups. Everyone is always welcome.
The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria is a not-for-profit association registered with the ACNC (Australian Charities and Not-for Profits Commission). Membership is statewide, with approximately 50% of members based in the metropolitan area of Melbourne, and approximately 50% living in regional Victoria. It is overseen by the EGV Board (board members are elected annually). The Board manages all aspects of the EGV, ensuring consistency throughout the state and receives reports from all major areas monthly. However, the Board relies on advice and regular reporting from its major committees and from its branches. The Board meets monthly and receives a comprehensive report from the EGV Treasurer every month. The EGV is audited or reviewed every year and an annual financial report is sent to all members. Country Branches meet and report to their branch members regularly. They hold an AGM and their annual financial reports form part of the whole EGV annual financial report.
All members receive an extensive monthly newsletter, Threadlines and an annual general meeting is held every April. The state president’s annual report and the guild’s annual financial report are presented there and are also published in Threadlines. The accounts are reviewed annually by an external accountant. Comprehensive reports of our financial and general status are submitted to the ACNC after every AGM.
Visitors are welcome to Embroidery House, 170 Wattletree Road, Malvern, weekdays 10am – 3pm, weekends 10am-1pm (Closed public holidays). Visit www.embroiderersguildvic.org like www.facebook.com/EmbroiderersGuildVic and follow @embroiderersguildvic
Gail Thexton is the State Vice-President of The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria
