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.

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.

I have been involved with textile education in many other fields. Working with the Embroidery Development Scheme of the Embroiderers' Guild I have 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 have taught the City & Guilds course in Embroidery and for part of that time the Patchwork & Quilting course also. >

I have lectured and taught practical embroidery throughout the UK and at National Seminars in Canada and USA. Many of my lectures are on historical embroidery and especially the C16 and early C17th textiles. Working with the education department for Glasgow Museums, in both the Burrell Collections and in Kelvingrove Museum, I have taught children and adults embroidery courses linked with exhibitions.

Currently I am Chairman of the Embroiderers' Guild, a position I am honoured to hold, but which with my other teaching commitments leaves very little time to actually stitch!

I am a contributing author to the PSG publication Embroidery Studio and my research on Tudor Stitches will be published in the future.

Chris Berry