Berlin wool work chart, mid-19th century, made in Berlin (TRC 2018.1578).On Saturday the 15th February 2020, Gillian Vogelsang wrote:

For the last few months we have been discussing the TRC Library, its future and how to make it more accessible, especially as more and more books are being donated to the Library.

It is rapidly growing into a comprehensive source of information about textiles and dress from throughout the world with books in a wide range of languages.

There are currently over 4000 registered books with many more to be added (and more have been promised!). The online catalogue is constantly being updated and extended.

The Library is currently divided into five sections, namely general history, how-to-books, history of textiles in general, history of dress in general, and the largest section, regional textiles and dress (based on regions and countries). And we have just decided to add a new section, the TRC Pattern Library.

Over the last few years we have acquired and been given a range of patterns, including Berlin wool work patterns from the early 19th century, a wide range of 20th century patterns for embroidery (especially cross stitch), lace and crochet, dress patterns, quilt block patterns, as well as items such as knitting patterns for socks (used in the TRC exhibition about hand knitted socks, Autumn 2019). So we are going to register these and other items under the title TRC Pattern Library and make them available online. The first items should be available by April 2020.

The TRC Library is open from Monday to Thursday, and may be used by anyone. Please note that books are not lent out. If a book, journal or magazine is donated and we already have it then, then we normally sell it in the textile section of the TRC Shop.