Julie Roy is a real living treasure

Julie Roy was named a ‘Living Treasure’ by the Embroiderers’ Guild of NSW (EGNSW) last year for her numerous contributions to the state’s intricate crafter society.

The guild’s ‘Living Treasures’ program celebrates select members who are nominated by their local group and are celebrated throughout the year with a presentation and personal exhibition at the Sydney Guild’s Gallery 76 in Concord West.

The nominated treasure must have 20 years of continuous membership with EGNSW and have offered significant contributions to their guild over a 10-year period, through teaching, exhibiting, and volunteering, among other contributions.

“Embroidery is my passion, I love textiles, it may be a tactile thing,” said Julie.

The self-proclaimed “non-creative”, has an impressively vast array of work, and while Julie herself appears humble to the point of shyness, her vibrant and intricate embroidery speaks volumes.

Her passion for embroidery has been a lifelong love, as she remembers making her earliest pieces, including an embroidered pin keeper and shell-hemmed pyjamas at eight years of age.

“Embroidery has always been my passion, from my earliest years I think I’ve had a needle of some kind in my hands, and I have been sewing something,” said Julie.

Julie was nominated from the Narrabri Group – Embroiderers’ Guild by current convenor Ruth Palsson, a group for which she was a founding member, 40 years ago in 1984.

She has since held multiple positions of convenor, treasurer, and secretary for differing periods of time.

She champions the women in her life for exposing her to many creative outlets, which she believes even inspired her career as a teacher.

“I was always surrounded by remarkable women doing interesting things,” said Julie.

“Of course, my greatest influences to create and sew were my mother, as well as my paternal grandmother and my aunt (my father’s twin sister).

“There was always something being created around me – whether it was clothing, knitting of some kind, crochet, or beautifully embroidered articles.”

The former Narrabri High School teacher retired in 2014 and enjoyed teaching home economics, especially with a focus on design and textiles.

Her most fulfilling years of teaching were watching students create their major works for the Higher School Certificate.

“It was so rewarding to see people and students produce works of art with their hands, and I believe there is a resurgence in younger generations wanting to get away from sitting in front of screens and take up a skill with their hands – making, creating, sewing and embroidering,” said Julie.

Once she retired, and after raising three boys (including her own twins), her commitment to embroidering came back in full force.

“There are hundreds of stitches to learn, and I’ll never have enough time to learn them all,” said Julie.

But over the years she has co-ordinated many Narrabri Group embroidery challenges, including ones with postcards, sewing necessities, and UFOs, as well as a canvas work inspired by Mondrian which she sent to be exhibited at EGNSW’s Gallery76.

“If I had to choose my favourite style of embroidery, it would probably be creative work – I love the freedom to play and fiddle around with stitches, fabric, paints, etc, with no rules to be followed,” said Julie.

“I’m more of a “it will evolve” type of stitcher when working creatively.”

Julie credits the members of her Narrabri Group for providing her with so much inspiration and support over the years, with long-standing members meeting once a month and then meeting socially once a month at 2MaxFM, or keeping in touch even after moving away.

“The guild has given me so much over the years: friendship and camaraderie, knowledge, a wonderful hobby, challenges, and the development of new skills,” said Julie.

“It is an integral part of my life and I appreciate our group so much.”