About the Guild

 

The EGQ Guild Rooms, Brisbane.

The Guild’s two-storey building is at 149 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, between St. Pauls Terrace and Water Street. Formerly a Masonic Temple, the building is within walking distance of the Fortitude Valley railway station and many bus stops in Fortitude Valley.

Contact details

The Embroiderers’ Guild, Queensland Incorporated

Postal address:
PO Box 150
Fortitude Valley
Qld 4006
Australia

Location:
149 Brunswick Street
Fortitude Valley
Qld 4006
Australia

Telephone: (07) 3252 8629
email: info@embroiderersguildqld.org.au

 

Members’ meetings

There are usually two formal meetings of the members, the half-yearly meeting held in March and the AGM held in September. On all other meeting days, come and stitch, change your library books and view the Guild’s current displays.

General stitching takes place on the following days:

Tuesdays 10.00am – 1.30pm
Wednesdays, 2nd and 4th of the month 10.00am – 2.00pm
Thursdays 9.00am – 12.00 noon
Saturdays 1.00pm – 4.00pm

Day and night member groups

The following groups meet at various locations around and outside of the Greater Brisbane area.  If you are a member interested in joining one of these groups, please contact the Guild for venues.

Northside Day
4th Saturday of the month at 1.00 pm
 
Northside Night
2nd Monday of the month at 6.00 pm

Northwest
2nd Friday of the month from 12.00 noon – 4.00 pm
 
Southside
Thursdays from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm

Tweed Valley
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 9.30 am – 1.00 pm (NSW time)

Membership

Any person who is interested in the art of embroidery may join. Click here for membership details.

Visitors

Visitors are very welcome to visit the Guild Rooms whenever they are open. Prospective members may make two visits before being required to join. This also applies to day and night member groups.

Facilities

Basic sewing machines, light boxes and a smocking pleater are available for members’ use, as are irons and boards. A photocopier is also available – a small charge is made for its use. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided.

Newsletter

A members’ newsletter, Queensland Embroidery is published 11 times a year. It is provided to all financial members of the Guild and is a source of news, events, competitions and class information. The newsletter is the main forum for members of the Guild to communicate with the wider Guild community. 

Classes

Classes in various embroidery techniques are held. Guild, interstate and overseas tutors provide exciting classes throughout the year. Click here for details. Each new member on joining the Guild may attend, free of charge, a Basic Embroidery Stitches class.

Young Stitchers’ Classes are held in most school holidays. The classes allow children from 8 to 16 to learn techniques and complete a project. Click here for details.

Exhibitions

An exhibition of members’ work is mounted every two years. This is open to the public. Several pieces of members’ work are on permanent display. The work of tutors is displayed from time to time also. We participate in demonstrations at various venues each year.

Previous Exhibitions:

  • 1920s in the 2020s – Foundations – 2022 Exhibition
  • Celebrate! 50 Years of our Guild – 2018 Exhibition
  • A World United in Stitches – 2016 Exhibition
  • ANZAC – Support from Home  – 2015 Exhibition
  • Embellish, Enliven, Enrich – 2014 Exhibition
  • The Ties that Bind – 2013 Affiliates Exhibition
  • Embroidered Treasures – 2012 Exhibition
  • Everything Old is New Again – 2010 Exhibition
  • Stitches of the Heart – Greek embroidery in Queensland –  2009 Exhibition
  • Fabulous Forty celebrating 40 years of the Guild in Queensland –  2008 Exhibition

Library

There is an extensive lending library which is open whenever members are present. A continually expanding collection of over 2400 books and magazines – some for reference only, but most may be borrowed for 4 weeks.

Embroidery Collection

Viewing pieces from our extensive guild Collection.
Viewing pieces from our extensive Guild Collection.

The Guild’s Collection has many examples of embroidery representing as widely as possible the types and styles of embroidery of all periods and from all parts of the world as well as needle-work accessories, tools, patterns, books and any other others that may be considered relevant.

The Collection seeks to preserve the embroidery heritage of all Queenslanders. The embroideries date from the late 1600s to the present. Each year the Guild acquires from the current members work. There are changing displays in the main meeting room. In conjunction with the Guild’s major exhibition every second year, the Collection team mounts a display in keeping with the theme.

Viewing the Collection is available by appointment only.

Craft fairs

Craft fairs are held in the Guild Rooms twice yearly, in late April/early May and in November. For more information, contact info@embroiderersguildqld.org.au.