Young Embroiderers

In January 2001, with much enthusiasm and slight trepidation, Miriam Collins launched the YE Group at North Kent. A talented textile artist and embroiderer, Miriam enjoys sharing her skills and knowledge with others; her sense of humour is infectious and combined with her talents is a wonderful asset when teaching the young people in the group.

There are up 12 members aged between 8 and 16. They meet once a month on a Saturday morning at St Andrews Art Centre for two hours, during which they start - and mostly complete - a project. They enter competitions individually but as a group had their first major success in 2002 when they won a £25 prize (work shown on the right)

Some happy stitchers relaxing after their Saturday meeting at St Andrews.

The older girls are studying Textile Design at school now and the younger ones are keen to follow on.

Some stay for the afternoon adult session enjoying the guest speaker or mini-workshops.

The group have enjoyed a new activity this year making a stitching sampler book. Each month they learn a new stitch in addition to making that month's project and in that way add to their stitching repertoire.

The Embroiderers Guild send them a textile ideas magazine for inspiration and fun things and projects to do on their own at home. We encourage them to stitch on their own between the monthly meetings.