Textile Study Group

artists and tutors sharing ideas imagination and skills

Chris Berry

As an embroiderer I have two passions, Venice and Tudor stitchery. Most of my most recent work has been inspired by Venice though, when I look back, water has always been prominent in my work. As a recent past Chairman of the Embroiderers' Guild (2002-8) my stitching time has been limited but I contributed to the 2008/9 Embroiderers' Guild international exhibition, art of the Stitch, with 'Canale Grande' as illustrated here.

I trained as a Primary School teacher but the schools I taught in were keen to make use of my interest in textiles. This experience proved useful when I became Chairman of the Young Textiles Group, the under 18 Members of the Embroiderers' Guild, in 1990. During my six years in office, two conferences for teachers and a major touring exhibition, A Splash of Colour, promoted the work of the YTG.

Involvement with textile education in many other fields has been ongoing. Working with the Embroidery Development Scheme of the Embroiderers' Guild I reviewed the work of individual Guild members who have set themselves their own challenge rather than participate in a structured course. For twenty years I taught the City & Guilds advanced textile courses.

I lecture and teach practical embroidery courses throughout the UK and at National Seminars in USA and Canada. Many of my courses and lectures are on historical embroidery techniques especially of the C16th and early C17th: Unravelling Tudor stitches: Black, white, colour and gold: Curious needleworkes. Working with the education department for Glasgow Museums I have taught adult and children’s embroidery courses linked with exhibitions. Currently I am helping catalogue the embroidery in the Burrell Collection in Glasgow.

A contributing author to the Textile Study Group publication Embroidery Studio and contributor to Embroidery and Stitch magazines, my research on Tudor stitches and techniques will be published in the future.

Canale Grande, side view
Closer view

Chris Berry