THE CONTEMPORARY GUILD OF PECULIAR BLACKWORK

Est. MDCCCLXII

Ravenscroft, Somewhere in England

In Tenebris Pungimus

Welcome to the Guild. Since 1862, we have maintained the ancient and honourable tradition of stitching things that make people slightly uncomfortable

The Guild also issues a considerable number of specialist, community, and personality awards which are not part of the core rank progression but are issued at the Guild's discretion with great enthusiasm. A full list of Guild certificates and honours can be found here.

[View all Guild Certificates and Honours →]

WHAT IS THE GUILD?

THE GUILD RECOGNISES STITCHERS

The Contemporary Guild of Peculiar Blackwork is not a club. It is not a membership. It is a formal recognition system for those who purchase patterns, complete projects, and participate in the Guild's Stitch Alongs.

You are already part of the Guild if you have ever purchased a pattern from Urban Stitches. Your rank is determined by your accomplishments.

The Guild issues certificates. The Guild maintains records. The Guild does not send spam.

Dave oversees the records. Margaret maintains the ledger. Steve has been told he maintains the ledger. Steve is very pleased.

GUILD RANKS

Your rank reflects your engagement with the Guild's patterns and SALs. Ranks are earned through purchases and completions. The Guild recognises accomplishment.

APPRENTICE OF THE GUILD

Awarded upon purchase of your first pattern from the Guild's archives.

The Apprentice rank acknowledges your interest in peculiar blackwork. You have taken the first step. The Guild notes this.

Certificate: Digital, delivered automatically

STITCHER OF THE GUILD

Awarded when you complete and submit photographic evidence of one finished Urban Stitches pattern.

The Stitcher rank recognises completion. You have moved beyond collection and into creation. The Guild respects this.

Certificate: Digital, issued upon submission
Gallery: Your finish may be featured in the Guild's archives

JOURNEYMAN OF THE GUILD

Awarded when you submit evidence of three completed patterns.

The Journeyman rank acknowledges dedication. You have demonstrated consistency and commitment to the craft. The Guild honours this.

Certificate: Digital, issued upon qualification
Exclusive Journeyman pattern (not sold)
Recognition: Your name appears on the Guild's honour roll

FELLOW OF THE GUILD

Awarded to those who have already achieved Journeyman rank and have gone on to complete one full Stitch Along in its entirety.

The Fellow rank recognises sustained multi-project commitment. You have completed works of significant scope alongside the Guild community. This is noted with considerable respect.

Certificate: Digital + optional physical certificate (posted)
Fellows-only pattern access
Priority: Early access to new SAL releases (1 week advance)
Recognition: Listed on Guild Fellows register

MASTER OF THE GUILD

Awarded upon completion of five Stitch Alongs and submission of ten finished works.

The Master rank is the Guild's highest honour. You have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and sustained engagement with the Guild's work over years. The Guild recognises this achievement with the utmost seriousness.

Certificate: Physical, printed on premium stock, posted to your address
Seal: The Guild's seal, provided for your use
Recognition: Your name engraved on the Guild's Master register
Correspondence: Personal letter from Mistress Stitches

This rank is rare. It is earned over years, not weeks. The Guild does not award it lightly.

SAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATES

The Guild issues completion certificates for each Stitch Along. These are separate from rank certificates and recognise specific project completion.

Certificates are issued when you submit photographic evidence of your completed SAL. The Guild maintains records of all SAL completions.

Stitch Alongs

GRAND HONOURS

Grand Honours certificates represent the Guild's most elevated recognition and are reserved for a specific and exceptional category of work.

The Grand Honours SALs are full coverage, full colour blackwork conversions of iconic paintings, worked in a technique developed exclusively by Mistress Stitches at Ravenscroft. These are not standard blackwork projects. They require sustained technical precision across months or years of stitching, demand mastery of a method unavailable anywhere else, and represent some of the most ambitious embroidery projects in the contemporary blackwork world. To complete one is a genuine achievement by any measure.

Grand Honours certificates are physical - printed on premium paper and posted to recipients. They are the Guild's most formal awards and the only certificates in the system that recognise a technique unique to Urban Stitches.

Current Grand Honours SALs:

  • Memento Mori - full colour blackwork conversion of Pieter Claesz's Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quil, completed SAL
  • Starry Night - full colour blackwork conversion of Van Gogh's The Starry Night, ongoing SAL

Further Grand Honours SALs will be added to the register as they are released. The Guild does not produce these lightly. Neither will you stitch them lightly. The Guild considers this appropriate.

Grand Honours certificates sit outside the core rank progression and are awarded in addition to any rank certificates earned. They are not a rank. They are a recognition of something rarer than rank.

HOW TO EARN YOUR CERTIFICATES

The Guild requires photographic evidence of completion.

TO SUBMIT:

  1. Photograph your completed work (framed, unframed, or in progress - the Guild is not particular)
  2. Email photo to lovelypeople@urbanstitches.co.uk with subject line: "Guild Submission - [Pattern Name]"
  3. Include your order number if submitting for rank promotion

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

  • Dave reviews submissions within 3-5 business days
  • Certificates are issued via email (digital) or post (physical)
  • Your rank is updated in Guild records

Steve does not review submissions. Steve has been told he reviews submissions. Do not send submissions to Steve.

CURRENT FELLOWS AND MASTERS

THE GUILD'S HONOUR ROLL
The Guild maintains public record of those who have achieved Fellow and Master ranks.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a fee to join the Guild?

No. The Guild recognises purchases and completions. There is no membership fee. Rank is earned through engagement with the Guild's patterns.

How do I know my current rank?

Check your email for certificates you've received. If you've purchased patterns but not submitted finish photos, you are an Apprentice. If you are uncertain, email Dave.

Can I submit old finishes from patterns I bought years ago?

Yes. The Guild does not care when a pattern was purchased or completed. Evidence of completion is evidence of completion.

How long does it take to receive certificates?

Digital certificates: 3-5 business days after submission review.
Physical certificates (Master rank): 2-3 weeks for printing and international post.

What if I don't want to be listed on the public honour roll?

Contact Dave. The Guild respects privacy. Your name can be omitted from public listings while your rank remains valid.

Can I lose my rank?

No. Once earned, Guild ranks are permanent. The Guild does not rescind recognition.

  • THE GUILD MAINTAINS CORRESPONDENCE

    Receive dispatches from Ravenscroft. New patterns, SAL updates, and occasional squirrel incidents.

    The Guild's mailing list is maintained by Dave. Steve has been told he maintains the mailing list. The Guild sends no more than one email per week. The Guild values your inbox.