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Transition'A kind of folly of grandeur is hitting the Embroiderers' Guild at the moment. Get back to basics and reach the real people, please.'
Viviane Proyer
'It becomes ever more noticeable that the emphasis of the magazine is placed on "Art". In principle there is nothing wrong with Textile Art, but this is the magazine for the Embroiderers' Guild, many of whose members are more interested in embroidery than art ... The Stitch mag is fine for beginners but all this leaves the majority of Guild Members who are neither beginners nor into textile art, without a magazine they can relate to.'
Cobi Erskine
'... several members asked me to write to show their concern that the majority of the articles in The World of Embroidery appear to have moved away from embroidery.'
Eileen Blaney
'I know that the word "embroidery" translates as embellishment, but traditionally it is accepted as stitch on cloth. How can the content of recent editions of The World of Embroidery be reconciled with this definition?'
Mrs S. Reynolds
'... with the last copy I did not recognise it as an embroidery magazine at all ... It has become highbrow and elitist and if it does not change in the next two editions I shall cancel my subscription.'
Fran Gaigent
'I look forward to receiving future issues of the revamped Embroidery magazine, which I think is first class. The layout and style are a definite improvement, and the broader content reflects the way that the boundaries of embroidery have changed and acknowledges the more multimedia approach that many of us are following now. Thank you for a truly inspiring magazine, which I am sure will appeal to a much wider readership.'
Janet White
'I have just this moment received the new copy of Embroidery and wanted to tell you that I think it looks wonderful! I was quite startled on opening it - I had expected changes but not as radical so soon. But I am not complaining - just the opposite - it looks exciting and invigorating, not least the amount of photography.'
Jenny Bullen
Editor's note:
In answer to your concerns, I must apologise for the period between Maggie's
and my editorship. Due to other commitments this was somewhat longer than we
would have hoped, and some issues last year did fall short of the usual standard.
The magazine has survived since 1932 partly because it has kept pace with the
changes in textile practice over the years. These changes are currently concerned
with issues of content rather than technique. Embroidery is being taken up by
an increasing number of artists, and it is right that the magazine should reflect
this.
Since the introduction of Stitch, Embroidery has lost readers. Until recently the two magazines occupied a similar niche in the market. My brief as new editor is to move Embroidery away from Stitch and towards the more experienced embroiderer. This will inevitably bring the inclusion of a wider range of textile practice, but I hope without losing its character. Stitch will also respond to these changes by including more articles on advanced techniques. We hope that with the two magazines operating in parallel there will be something for everyone.
The January issue seems to have engendered a happy response.