Prizes and Associate Awards

◦ The winners in each category will be awarded with $6,000 USD as a top prize

◦ A commemorative framed hand embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s skilled craftsmen

◦ A years complimentary membership of The Textile Institute.

◦ A prize bundle of industry standard threads from Madeira.

◦ A weekend course at Hand & Lock.

◦ A commemorative framed hand embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s skilled craftsmen.

◦ A weekend course at Hand & Lock.

◦ A commemorative framed hand embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s skilled craftsmen.

◦ A weekend course at Hand & Lock.

The Chairman's award is given to the most innovative, hand embroidery Prize piece from any category, chosen by the Chairman of Hand & Lock.

◦ $6,000 USD Prize

◦ Any course at Hand & Lock (Excluding the Diploma)

These are awards from companies and organisation Hand & Lock has partnered with. Typically an Associate Award recognises a specific skill or technique and the recipient receives an award directly from this partner organisation. For more information see the Prizes and Associate Awards page.

The Embroiderers’ Guild UK (EG) was founded in 1906. It is an Educational Charity dedicated to educating all ages about embroidery – from the pleasure of stitching to the design, creativity and production of unique inspirational works. The Guild has an accredited museum collection of items from around the world ranging in date from Coptic times to the present day. 

Embroidery magazine, first published in 1932, is devoted to all aspects of embroidery and stitched textiles in art, design, craft and textile culture.  Over the decades, Embroidery has published trusted commentary on the changing tides and trends affecting embroidery, both as an artform and in wider society. It is published six times a year and available on subscription for the enjoyment of those who have an interest in creative, innovative stitched work and textiles. 

The Embroiderers’ Guild & Embroidery magazine award is open to all entrants and covers any hand or machine embroidery technique. The award will be chosen by EG Artistic Director, Anthea Godfrey. She will be looking for a well-executed, imaginative design and an innovative use of materials, processes, and techniques.

Award

The winner of the Embroiderers’ Guild and Embroidery magazine Associate Award for Design and Innovation will receive £1,000, a year’s print and digital archive subscription to Embroidery magazine, a year’s membership to the Embroiderers’ Guild and a copy of The Guild’s book Showcase: 30 years of Embroiderers’ Guild Graduate & Scholar Showcase. 

Embroidery magazine have kindly offered all who register for The Prize a voucher for individual access to the Embroidery archive of back issues spanning nearly 100 years whilst they are working on their entries.

With a legacy spanning over 70 years, Joel and Son Fabrics has evolved into a global retailer of exquisite textiles. Renowned as ‘the biggest couture fabric store in England,’ their establishment is a treasure trove of premium fabrics sourced from around the world. Founded by Joel and now passed onto his son Gary, alongside his own son, Coby, who is also involved in the running of the business, the family-run operation is deeply rooted in tradition and dedication to quality.

Their extensive inventory boasts high-end materials from renowned designers such as Swarovski, Elie Saab, Versace, Liberty, and Valentino. Beyond these esteemed brands, they offer a diverse selection of printed cottons, silks, satins and much more. From men’s suiting fabrics to African dress-wear textiles, beaded fabrics to denims and jerseys, their collection caters to every fashion need.

As pioneers in the textile industry, they remain committed to delivering the highest quality products and upholding the standards of excellence that have defined them for decades. Joel and Son Fabrics continues to be a destination of choice for designers, couturiers, and creatives worldwide.

Joel and Son Fabrics will be looking for the best use of fabric and materiality whilst incorporating excellence. They will also be looking at whether the embroidery piece  has responded well to the brief given for the Prize for Embroidery whilst using innovative traditional hand embroidery and processes too.

Award

The winner of the Joel and Son Fabrics Association Award for the “best use of fabric and materiality whilst incorporating excellence” will win a £1,000 worth of materials of their choice.

The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) has been an international centre of excellence for the art of hand embroidery since 1872. Based in Hampton Court Palace, they offer a range of hand embroidery courses for beginners through to advanced, across all techniques, both Online and at Hampton Court Palace, Bristol, Rugby, Durham, Glasgow and internationally in the USA and Japan.

The RSN Embroidery Studio creates beautiful bespoke commissions for fashion, art and royalty, as well as restores and conserves historical textiles. The Studio was honoured to work on several pieces for the Coronation of HM King Charles III, including the conservation of The King’s Robe of State and the stunning hand embroidery on Queen Camilla’s Robe of Estate.

The RSN award is only open to entrants in the Student categories. Given RSN students are able to enter the Prize, to avoid bias this award will be chosen by an independent expert judge. The judge will be looking for a close observance of the brief, an innovative use of traditional hand embroidery processes, technical excellence, clear (mentor led) development from the second round to the final. Please note: Embellishment in the form of beads, sequins, buttons etc. must not make up more than 25% of the final design. At the 1st stage submission, you will need to check this criteria and confirm that your entry is eligible for this award.

Award

The winner of the Royal School of Needlework Associate Award for Innovation and Technical Excellence in Hand Embroidery will receive £1,500 and an RSN Online or Onsite Day or Evening Class up to £150.

The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers (GSWD) provides a link to the modern usage of gold and silver wire and thread by offering grants and donations to worthy causes connected to the arts and the use of gold and silver wire skills.

The RSN Embroidery Studio creates beautiful bespoke commissions for fashion, art and royalty, as well as restores and conserves historical textiles. The Studio was honoured to work on several pieces for the Coronation of HM King Charles III, including the conservation of The King’s Robe of State and the stunning hand embroidery on Queen Camilla’s Robe of Estate.

The GSWD will present their award to the entrant who demonstrates the best use of the goldwork embroidery technique. Due to the charity status of the GSWD this particular award is only available to Student category registrations.

Award

The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers will award £1,500 to the entry with the best use of the ancient embroidery technique of goldwork.

Global digital embroidery pioneers, Wilcom have been a leading provider of innovative, machine embroidery solutions for over 40 years. Their popular EmbroideryStudio e4 suite software enables embroidery designers, artists and students to push their creative limits creating advanced designs with full professional control.

To qualify for consideration for The Wilcom Award for Digital Embroidery you must have incorporated digital machine embroidery into all or at least half of your submission. Wilcom will select one winner from the Fashion Category and one winner from the Textile Category, regardless of Student/Open status.

Award

The winners of the Wilcom award will each receive 12 months access to Wilcom embroidery studio design including support and training videos

The Worshipful Company of Broderers has existed since the 13th century and was formed to promote and protect the fine art of embroidery. Now a registered charity, they encourage excellence by supporting the emergence of new embroidery designers through competitions, awards and prizes.

In light of this, the entry that best demonstrates good skill and clever use of hand embroidery techniques will have the honour of bringing home an award from this ancient brotherhood. Due to the charity status of the Broderers Guild this particular award is only available to Student category registrations.

Award

A total of £1,500 will be generously awarded to the entry that wins first place of The Worshipful Company of Broderers category in Hand & Lock’s 2024 Prize.