The Embroidery Guild of NSW Narrabri group, led by convenor Robyn Bullen, gather twice each month to participate in the ancient art of embroidery, learning a craft that is, indeed, centuries old.

While embroidery is practised all over the world, the origin of this craft stems from China and very early embroidery can be traced back as far as 30,000 B.C.

Archaeological finds from this period have uncovered fossilised remains of heavily hand-stitched and decorated clothing.

The Narrabri group is affiliated with The Embroiderers Guild of NSW, whose headquarters are in Sydney.

The group, all living within a 110k radius of Narrabri, is eighteen members strong and meet each month, hosted by a member in their home, and once a month at MaxFM radio station in the conference room.

The group welcomes new members of all ages.

Each year, a tutor from The Embroiderers Guild of NSW usually visits the group and convenes a separate instructional workshop.

Earlier this year the Narrabri group took part in a Smøyg embroidery workshop with Yvette Stanton.

Walcha resident Yvette Stanton is an award-winning Australian embroidery designer, and author of several quality embroidery books.

The Smøyg method involves Norwegian pattern darning, which is a simple embroidery technique using basic running stitch, which beginners through to experienced stitchers can enjoy.

In the past, the women would embellish their aprons, caps and household linens such as tablecloths, doilies and runners with this stitching.

World Embroidery Day is celebrated each year on July 30, and the annual event was founded in Sweden in 2011.

The Narrabri group celebrated the special occasion with eight members and four guests joining Mrs Bullen at The Crossing Theatre café, enjoying a delicious morning tea and lunch in the Riverside Room.

Two members, Ruth Palsson and Julie Roy, organised an activity for the day and provided fabric, tags, threads and patterns.

The group stitched designs on aida cloth, using cross-stitch and blackwork techniques, and the finished embroideries were mounted onto gift tags.

Aida cloth is a strong, open, evenly woven fabric, one of the most popular cross stitch fabrics used by embroiderers.

Mrs Bullen was delighted with the attendance on the day.

“We had a most enjoyable day, and I would like to think that we have encouraged our guests to further their experience in the art of embroidery”.

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