About the group
This subgroup of the Cambs Guild was formed to explore traditional textiles from around the world. It built on the success of the Peruvian Textiles Study Group (the new group might return to Peru in our interests again one day).
We meet roughly 6-8 times a year on Saturdays, avoiding clashes with the main Cambs Guild meetings and also Come and Weave. In 2027, we will try to avoid clashing with Rampton Spinners too. We usually take a long break over the Summer (see list of dates below).
For our chosen topics (see list below), we can be inspired by the local textile collection – in the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) and/or their archive. Or from visits to other collections, books and/or travels.
How we work
- We decide together on a long list of topics (see list below) – we just need at least one person to have the time and enthusiasm to focus on the topic and another person to be keen to learn about it.
- Then one or more members volunteer to take a lead on the topic.
- They do a bit of research, try out some techniques and materials, then share what they have learned at a practical session.
- We give members some time to start the technique beforehand if they wish. People often bring what they have worked on to future meetings.
- For some topics we have more than one session especially if we are preparing for the Guild exhibition.
It is very informal, a lot of fun, and usually gives us a much greater respect for the skills and creativity of textile makers around the world too. We could also invite people from outside the group to lead these sessions.
Sharing our enthusiasm
We’d like to share our enthusiasm and skills more outside our sessions:
- We can do talks and practical sessions at the main Guild meetings.
- On Sunday 9 November 2025: we had two tables at the MAA Winter Craft Fair. Explaining what we do and demonstrating some traditional textile techniques. It was a really good way to get to know Museum and Departmenr staff, students and volunteers – and also chat to visitors about what we do.
- In May 2025, we had a TTSG display at the Guild exhibition in Grantchester on ‘Weaving with sticks’, which was very popular and fun to do. It was inspired by a bow loom on display in the MAA.
How to join
- All current members of the Cambridgeshire Guild are eligible to join the TTSG mailing list and attend TTSG meetings.
- There is no extra fee.
- To join the TTSG mailing list (currently more than 40 people) contact the TTSG co-ordinator: currently, Rebecca Jones. Contact her via the Guild Secretary or look up her contact details in your members’ contact list.
- Once you are on the mailing list, Rebecca will contact you by e-mail with upcoming dates and topics of meetings.
- You don’t need to come to every meeting and we are very happy if you just dip-in to topics you are interested in.
Booking a place
The meeting room has a limit of around 14 people so once you are invited by e-mail you need to let the TTSG co-ordinator know if you are coming (or not). If more people want to come than we have space, we might need to use a ballot or waiting list but this hasn’t been necessary so far.
Meeting venue and what to bring along
Most meetings (on Saturdays) are at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA), Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ, which opens at 10 am. We meet in the North Lecture Theatre, which is on the first floor and very close to the lift. So we are accessible.
There are cycle racks at the side and back of the Museum through the nearby arch. Buses stop nearby, including from the rail station and park and ride sites.
We are very lucky and grateful that the University Department of Archeology and MAA allow us to meet in this beautiful venue, which is close to bus links etc.
Timings
- The Museum opens at 10 am.
- We usually start the business of the day at 10.30 am. Break for lunch.
- The room is booked all day but the invite e-mail will have a suggested programme and we usually run out of steam around 2pm.
What to bring
- The invitation e-mail will have a schedule for the session and a list of objects, tools and materials to bring along. We usually have some to share. We also love to see what you are working on – or what you have brought back from your travels.
- We don’t have access to a kitchen so bring your own refreshments.
- We need to be clean, dry and tidy in the room and we mustn’t bring anything into the Museum that might introduce pests or anything that might damage their exhibits.
Upcoming dates of meetings
These can be a provisional because we will cancel if we don’t have a topic ready:
- 6 December 2025: Weaving with wool locks, spinning with drop spindles. We are full now.
- 7 February 2026: Sashiko and boro;
- 21 March 2026: maybe re-visit shisha mirrorwork and making bags.
- 2 May 2026: TBA;
- 20 June 2026: TBA. Maybe block printing.
- 3 October 2026: TBA;
- 21 November 2026: Maybe sock knitting – perhaps with some mittens too.
- 5 December 2026: TBA.
We are also arranging a trip to the MAA Centre for Material Culture… to follow.
Long list of topics we are actively interested in
- Objects: bags (including dowry envelope bags) and carrying (including namlo); socks.
- People and place: Africa (Guild Day focus in March 2026); Himalaya (including Nepal); India (including Banjara and Bengal); Korea; Japan; vikings.
- Tools and materials: avocados for dyeing; cotton for spinning; flax; lichen for dyeing; wool locks for weaving; paper for weaving; rush for weaving; willow bark for weaving;
- Techniques: backstrap weaving; bojagi (Korean textiles); boro; coiling; kantha; nalbinding; natural dyeing; plaiting (four-cornered baskets with paper strips); ply-split braiding; resist/stencils in dyeing; sashiko; Seminole quilting; Siddi/kawanji quilting; shisha mirrorwork; smocking; tablet weaving.
- Topics focussed on recently: barkcloth; bow looms; looping (knotless-netting); soft twining; sprang; tannin dyes from wood.
Past activities
- November 2025: Shisha mirrorwork. And MAA Winter Craft Market stall.
- October 2025: ‘Show and tell’ and planning for the next few sessions
- June 2025: Natural dyeing – visit to the Cambridge Botanic Garden
- May 2025: Guild exhibition
- March 2025: Twining – soft basketry
- February 2025: Bhutanese street fashion and a ‘fashion show’
- January 2025: Looping
- September 2024: show and tell, planning
- May 2024: Sprang and nalbinding
- April 2024: Tannin dyes from trees
- February and March 2024: Bow looms – weaving with sticks
- January 2024: Barkcloth
- November 2024: visit to the bunker (MAA store)…
- November 2023: visit to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Store.
- April 2023: Workshop on Latvian mittens (Links)
Last updated: 22 November 2025