The sun is shining again here in Leiden and with it came some very good news! For quite a few years we have been working together with Bloomsbury Publishers, London, on the World Encyclopedia of Embroidery series (see blog). The series is changing the way in which hand embroidery around the globe is being perceived and studied, academically and for the sheer love of the subject.

I have also been discussing with Bloomsbury, and indeed with various other people and institutions, the expansion of the TRC Leiden and the development of a textile artisan centre. An important element of this growth is to further build up the TRC Library of textile and dress books (currently holding some 4500 publications).

So it is with great pleasure that we can announce that today Bloomsbury has very kindly agreed to give the TRC Library an initial donation of thirty books published within the last two years. This gift is not only a wonderful way of celebrating textiles and dress, it shows the importance of books, as well as acknowledging the growing international role the TRC Leiden is playing within the world of textiles and dress.

A great big thanks goes to Bloomsbury for their support and encouragement of the TRC Leiden in a very practical manner that many people can enjoy! More details in due course.

Gillian Vogelsang, Director TRC, 24 June 2021