Hands on Traditional skills and where to learn them

Embroidery

What is it?Embroidery is the delicate art of stitching on woven cloth. Traditionally, decorative stitches of different coloured threads were sewn on to patterns drawn or printed on the cloth. Wooden stamps of flowers and birds were used to print the pattern on the material.

Embroidery dates back to medieval times, when ecclesiastical garments and fabrics, ladies’ gowns, bed hangings and much more were embroidered.

Contemporary techniques involve adding embellishments to cloth or canvas. It can also include freestyle embroidery (done without using a pattern) and painting on to the fabric.

How do you do it?At its simplest, you need an embroidery needle, embroidery threads in various colours and a steady hand to stitch with. Sometimes, a frame is used to stretch the material and keep it taut while it is being worked on.

Most people can teach themselves how to embroider, but group classes can offer support and encouragement. “A group class is a good place to start because you will meet like-minded people and see their work. You can also learn different stitches and learn how to embellish your clothes with embroidery,” says Phil Stewart, a member of the Irish Guild of Embroiders.

How long does it take?"Embroidery is slow and methodical work that takes a long time," says Stewart. Famous embroidered works such as the Ros Tapestry, in Wexford, and the Bayeux tapestry, in France, took years to complete. Incorrectly described as tapestries (in which the patterns are woven into the cloth on a loom), these famous works were made by several people who stitched the scenes on to the cloth.

Where do I sign up?Members of the Irish Guild of Embroiders (irishguildofembroiders.com) meet on the first Saturday of every month from September to May in Mount Merrion, south Co Dublin. Beginners and experienced embroiders are welcome. The Irish Guild of Embroidery and the Northern Ireland Guild of Embroidery (nieg.org.uk) promote traditional embroidery stitching through workshops and exhibitions.

You can find out more about all these organisations at the Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, from November 10th to 13th.

The Ros Tapestry is on show at the exhibition centre in Priory Court, The Quay, New Ross, Co Wexford, until October 31st. See rostapestry.com.

You can search for embroidery artists under Textiles on the Crafts Council of Ireland website, ccoi.ie.