An island-based crafting guild will be holding a series of expert-led workshops through out the summer.

The Isle of Man Branch of the Embroiderer’s Guild will be welcoming visiting tutors to the island, beginning with a weekend workshop and lecture with UK embroiderer Sue Stone.

Sue will be holding the two day workshop on how to create appliqued and hand stitched portraits on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, along with giving a talk to the guild on Friday evening at St. Andrew’s Church Hall, Douglas, from 7.30pm.

She one of Britain’s most highly regarded textile artists and tutors, and is best known for her is best known for her textural figurative compositions. She is also a key member of the 62 Group, a group of textile artists that formed in 1962 with the aim to ’incorporate and challenge the boundaries of textile practice’.

Later on this year, the guild welcomes over Gillian Travis, an award winning textile artist and member of the Contemporary Quilt Group.

Her weekend workshop takes place on Saturday, July 28, under the name ’Townscapes’.

Local embroiderers will learn about innovative design and technical skills and some contemporary approaches to applique, print and machine embroidery.

Gillian has taught all over the world in countries such as France, Australia, South Africa and Mexico.

She will also give a talk, entitled ’Journeys in Stitch’, on Friday, July 27, also at St. Andrew’s Church Hall.

There will be a charge of £5 for non Guild members for each talk.

Maureen Kennaugh, from the Isle of Man Embroiderer’s Guild, said the workshops are open to everyone to attend, regardless of ability.