Embroiderers showcased their handiwork at an open day which welcomed the public in to watch and take part in the craft.

Members of the public made their way around a display of early works by stitchers at St Andrew’s Church in Douglas, and got to watch them up close working on their latest projects.

The event, ’Everybody Starts Somewhere’, was organised by the Isle of Man branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild.

Theresa Saxon of the guild, said: ’The day went really well with a steady stream of visitors throughout the day.

’The six members demonstrating different stitching techniques - redwork, machine embroidery, freestyle portrait, sashiko, English paper piecing and mindful stitching - attracted a great deal of interest.

’All of the demonstrators were more than happy to explain what they were doing and chat about stitch.’

A try-out table had people of all ages trying their hand at stitching flowers or making felt samples.

’In the afternoon, the Young Embroiderers were lively and obviously enjoying their handiwork,’ she added.

The display of early works by stitchers showed piece made in childhood and unfinished ’works in progress’, which generated a lot of conversation on the day.

Collection pieces loaned by the national Embroiderers’ Guild were also displayed. These had been made by members across Britain.

Find out more by searching http://iomeg.blogspot.com/ or www.facebook.com/EmbroiderersGuildIsleofMan.

You can also contact Jean Shimmin on [email protected]