#298 Summer 2026

As the editorial committee discussed this issue, we realised that one thread linking its contents is ‘community’. By belonging to a Guild, each of us experiences ideas, information sharing and companionship. While it is perfectly possible to enjoy activities and learn from books on your own, adding the stimulation, friendship, and shared outcomes of engaging with others transforms our pursuits, allowing them to take a new role in achieving a fulfilling life.
The communities featured in this issue include the residents of Sark in the Channel Islands who spent ten years creating a community tapestry: their account is on p.25.
There is an entire linen spinning community that has built up around the large quantities of Austrian flax, historically received as dowries. When an Austrian textile artist, Christiane Seufferlein, was offered 80kg of one woman’s fibre, a project to share out the flax began. On p.30, she and Cath Snape describe a Berta’s Flax group visit to various Austrian, Czech and German sites associated with linen and flax.
Local Guilds, including the virtual Online Guild, provide another sort of community that brings people together while ignoring the factors that might divide them. I was sorry to have missed the London Guild’s 75th anniversary exhibition described on p.48 and Stratford-upon-Avon’s account of their 50th anniversary exhibition on p.28 sounds equally worth visiting. Such group endeavours bring so much to not only those who take part, but for the visitors too.
There is still just time for your spinning, weaving or dyeing community to form and create something for the National Exhibition. Have a look at the Association website for details. In the meantime, may you enjoy all you create and find something to stimulate you in this issue.

Lesley Fidler, JEC Chair