QUEEN REVIVES OLD FASHION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1004, 21 June 1930, Page 25

QUEEN REVIVES OLD FASHION

EMBROIDERY AGAIN POPULAR “The Queen showed an expert knowledge of nearly every stitch used in modern embroidery. She is specially interested in the petitpoint work in silk and wool that she is .doing herself.” These remarks were made to the representative of an English journal by an official of the Embroiderers’ Guild, after the Queen had visited the guild's exhibition at Walker’s Gallery. Bond Street, recently. “Through the Queen's example many ladies of the Court and of society are also doing embroidery.” said the official. “Owing largely to this we have had a great increase in our membership, and have many overseas and American members on our books.” Four Queens Four Queens —Queen Mary, Queen Ena of Spain. Queen Elizabeth of the Belgians, and Queen Marie of Rumania—are patronesses of the guild. Before the opening to the public of the exhibition. Queen Mary paid a private visit with Lady Cynthia Colville, and was received by Lady Joan Yerney, another of her Ladies-in-Waiting, who is also a vice-president of the guild. Coming primarily to examine the

| case of foreign embroideries that she i had lent from her private collections jat Buckingham Palace, the Queen ! spent more than an hour examining 1 the work* of guild members, and j bought two pieces of work, j These were a handkerchief worked | in satin stitch in pink and blue, and a j cream linen tea-cloth worked in blue j and old gold after an Italian design. Turkish Trousers | The foreign embroideries lent by the Queen include a Turkish pink and silver coat, intended to be worn with trousers to match by a Turkish woman, which are more than 100 [ years old. 1 There are also a Belgian wedding veil of finest muslin, embroidered iu colours round tbe hem, an Indian woman’s coat, of native lace called i “chikan” work, and a Mexican apron, j Members of the guild have to satisfy j the council that they have been emi broiderers for two years, and three I types of their work have to be sub- | mitted to judges before they can bej come members. I The guild has a circulating library iof old pieces of needlework and emj broidery that go from member to member in special boxes.