The Otago Embroiderers Guild is holding its 25th anniversary Wanaka-hosted needlework school.
The Wanaka school was established in 1984 by Gay Eaton, of Dunedin, who is one of the longest serving members of the guild and a recipient of a New Zealand Order of Merit for her contribution to embroidery. Guild secretary Marian Caffell said Mrs Eaton was the guest of honour at an anniversary dinner last night.
About 370 women have travelled from around New Zealand to attend the school and learn different aspects of needlework, embroidery, and bookbinding skills.
Mrs Caffell said the hobby of embroidery lacked males.
"Embroidery seems to be a female-only vocation. We have had men attend in the past, but mainly to learn skills such as bookbinding."
She did not know why men were not attracted to embroidery. But the school continued to grow in attendance, with tutors and some participants travelling from overseas to take part, she said.
The embroidery school has 22 classes and runs today and tomorrow between 9am and 3.30pm at Mt Aspiring College.
