New Year's Resolution * Join The Textile Society * This Year's Remarkable AGM * & 5 Gift Memberships

Throw out any dusty, musty, fusty notions you may have of AGMs and make the easiest New Year's Resolution ever. Simply join the Textile Society - only £10 per year for Senior Citizens, Students and Unwaged - £18 for everyone else. Then make a big date in your diary for next year's AGM on 23/24 November at the Wellcome Collection, Euston Road, London. It is free.

This year we were treated to 10 excellent papers, eloquently and expertly presented by speakers such as textile luminaries Mary Brooks talking about changing views of 17th century English raised embroideries, Jacqui Hyman discussing analysis of children's clothing in Mamluk Egypt and Nikki Gordon Bowe on Irish Arts and Crafts Textiles. I name these few just to give you an idea of the range. Though I knew someone who had a pair of WB Yeats' underpants, I didn't know that his brother, Jack, the artist, also designed sodality banners for churches which were stitched by his sisters, Lily and Elizabeth Yeats - I am still following up all the fascinating things I learned.

The Textile Society also organizes outings and tours and has a Collector's Group. As a member you receive a free journal of the society - Text - which is a fabulous read - full colour 76 pages of articles, exhibition and book reviews - see the sample pages on this post. And, best of all, bursaries are awarded to textile workers, museums and schools in continuing support of this wonderful field we all love. Can there ever be not a reason to join?

Click here for more information. And because I am so grateful for all your interest and simply love sharing wonderful things with you, I am offering 5 free Textile Society Memberships for 2012 to anyone not already a member. Simply click on the flying angel below and, in one paragraph please, tell me why you would like to become a member of the Textile Society. I'll announce the lucky new members on 4 January 2012.