About

The Guild is a not for profit organization for people who love to embroider, stitch, sew, create with yarn and fibre, and just have fun making things.

We aim to be a centre of excellence for embroidery and needlework in the ACT. Members have access to experts in various techniques both inside and outside the Guild and they can explore, learn and delight in textile arts through our library.  We also conserve examples of excellence in embroidery through our heritage textile collection. There is also a proud history of major contributions to public works of embroidery in the collections of Parliament House, the National Museum of Australia and the National Maritime Museum, Sydney.

We’re also a community. We get together every week, use our library, join in classes and take part in special interest groups and events.

Our youngest member is 7 and our oldest ninetyish. Some of us have been stitching for just a few months while others have been at it for over 70 years. Most of us are in between. No one is an expert at everything. Everyone at the Guild is a beginner in some kind of embroidery.

We do all kinds of embroidery and related crafts. At any Monday morning or evening meeting you’ll see people stitching, making softies, quilting, knitting, scrumbling (a mix of knitting and crochet) – anything and everything you can do with needle, thread, yarn, fabric and paper. We get a kick out of embellishing with beads, buttons, charms and all sorts of bling.

We share our knowledge, support each other, learn and try new things, celebrate & have fun.

Come and join us!

Quick links to a few things see and do on the website

Come and join us see Where we meet!

Our calendar allows you to see What’s on at a glance

The Guild has had an active and intensive program of classes

Ogle our photo gallery

One of the important ways we share and showcase our work, collection, expertise and love of needlecraft is through our annual Exhibition.

Every year the Guild holds a Stitching Weekend

The Guild’s Library is a wonderful resource for members. It contains most if not all of the iconic books on embroidery and needlework published in the last 50 years.

Our Proud Needlwork History  includes Projects of National Significance such as the  stunning 16 metre Parliament house embroidery created for the opening of Australia’s new Parliament House in 1988. It is the most ambitious project undertaken by the Guild to date.

The Embroidery for the National Maritime Museum, Sydney celebrates Australian maritime history.

The Crimson Thread of Kinship was created by the Guild to celebrate the Centenary of Australian Federation in 2001

The Guild has a track record of involvement in community projects to conserve the history of Canberra or important national textile works.

You will find our Policies here.