Miniature needlework has a time honored tradition and has moved naturally into the increasingly smaller world of scale dolls houses. Specialist societies for miniature needlework as well as full scale societies which support work in miniature are listed below.
The Miniature Needlwork Society (International) was founded in 1997 to encourage all forms of miniature work with needle and thread, as in embroidery of every kind, knitting, crochet, tatting, lace making etc. The society show their work annually at Miniatura and have an exceptional gallery of their work online at their website.
The Guild of Miniature Needle Arts aims to get as near to true scale in doll house scale miniature needlework, usually 1/12th or 1/24th, as is humanly possible and to take miniature needlework to the highest level of achievement. Their membership consists of prizewinners of past competitions or individuals selected by the guild. They have a wonderful gallery of prize winning miniature needlework online as well as a pdf of useful notes for working needlepoint in accurate scale.
The Lace Guild is the largest organization for lacemakers in the British Isles, and has an international membership. While not aimed at miniaturists, they do have some members who specialize in lace in 1:12 scale. The Lace Guild aims to provide information about the craft of lacemaking, its history and use and to promote a high standard of lacemaking, design, development and professional presentation of lace. Their website contains a section for young lacemakers which includes a simple pattern, stitch instructions and information on how to prepare bobbins.
The Embroiderers Guild of the UK is more than 100 years old. Their aims are to promote and encourage the art of embroidery and related crafts and encourage the creation of fine articles incorporating the use of or associated with embroidery, as well as to educate the public, and to collect, document preserve and exhibit examples of fine embroidery.
The Knitting and Crochet Guild aims to promote the crafts of knitting and crochet by raising public awareness of traditional skills, drawing attention to their usefulness, versatility and beauty. This UK based guild has a section for young members, as well as a pattern search service.
