About the Textile Collection

The Guild maintains a collection of embroidery and lace, contemporary and traditional, from Australia and overseas, for enjoyment, inspiration, study, research and teaching.

The Collection houses over 1600 textile items of cultural and historic significance and is highly regarded as a specialised textile museum. It is part of the cultural heritage of Western Australia and reflects the beautiful needleart stitched by women and men of past generations and those of today. It is being cared for by the Guild’s Textile Collection Group so that all the community can benefit. Everyone is welcome to view and enjoy it but you do need to make an appointment. 

The Collection Group has extensive knowledge of textile repair and conservation. If you would like advice please contact Valerie Cavill at the email address below.

If you would like to view the Collection or need further information please contact the curator, Valerie Cavill, at jandvcavill@bigpond.com

Recent acquisitions

See Recent Acquisitions page.

How to make a textile donation

Your donations of historic textiles, hand or machine embroidery, lace or tools, are most welcome.

Museum policy guides decisions about what is collected and ensures we have a highly respected collection of embroidery, lace and related equipment. A donation should enhance the Collection by having provenance and significance. Provenance covers aspects such as ownership, identification of the craftsperson, a date and country of origin where possible. Significance covers historic and social associations [such as, the item came out on a ‘bride ship’ to WA in 1890 as part of a young lady’s trousseau] artistic and aesthetic considerations, rarity, condition and the capacity to tell a story.

Not every donation can cover all these, so don’t be afraid to let us have a look at what you have to offer. Sometimes only one significant aspect is enough to warrant a place in the Collection.

Please note that only outright donations are accepted, not loans.

The Guild is always on the look-out for embroideries and lace that will enhance or fill gaps in the Collection, whilst at the same time keeping abreast of contemporary trends. If you would like to offer pieces to the Collection please contact the curator,Valerie Cavill, at jandvcavill@bigpond.com

We look forward to seeing your donations and reading about the stories they have to tell.