IT’S time for the Embroiderers’ Guild annual exhibition at the Albert Hall, which runs for three full days.

The Guild is celebrating 50 years this year and members point to important achievements such as their work on the Parliament House Embroidery and “The Crimson Thread of Kinship,” which hangs at the National Museum of Australia.

While embroidery has remained the most popular of activities for the members, they say other interest groups have developed over the years. Members, for instance, participate in a monthly creative group where a variety of activities are explored, including fabric dying, painting, machine stitching and felting.

As well, a paper arts group is also run on a monthly basis using mixed media and art techniques and even book-making. Outside tutors are invited to run classes and one member,  Sharon Boggon, is an international tutor of crazy quilting and hand embroidery.

Members of the guild meet on Monday mornings and evenings and children’s stitching classes are sometimes held usually during school holidays. New members, they say, are welcomed.

During the exhibition, the Guild runs a popular cafe with lunch, morning and afternoon teas with all food freshly made and prepared by members.

All the while, new embroidered items and loved but unused embroidery supplies will be available for sale.

The Embroiderers’ Guild ACT annual exhibition at the Albert Hall, from 10am until 4pm, October 19-21. Admission $9, Concession $7.