Bridget McConnel has been collecting and dealing in antiques, specialising in thimbles and sewing tools since 1980.

Bridget is also the author of three books, "The Collectors Guide to Thimbles", "The Story of the Thimble" and recently "The Story of Antique Needlework Tools", and president of the internationally famous "Thimble Society". More on the books...

Hello to any new collectors. If you browse through the web site, it will give you an idea of the selection to be found at the Thimble Society stand. Come and see us any Saturday morning in the famous Portobello antiques market, at no 147 Portobello Road. If you can't come in person, everything you see here [and more] is available by post.

Thimble Society Meeting - Friday 24th-Sunday 26th October

As we have a new speaker who is going to talk on Elizabethan England, we have decided to theme the meeting "Life under the Tudors!" as we have the Warringtons talk, plus the visit to the Tudor house already in the schedule.

Betty Aardewerk, famous Dutch collector and historian will be willing to bring over some costly examples of Elizabethan textiles provided any member would be interested in their purchase...please let us know.

Betty is closing her shop in the Hague and will be bringing some excellent sewing tools for sale. An opportunity not to be missed.

If any members have anything relevant to the period, i.e. tools, smaples, textiles or photos, please bring them along.

Also, a wonderful surprise, Sandra McNeil is coming all the way from New Zealand to talk about she started collecting there.