Embroidery has a long tradition of both professional and amateur production in Europe and was practiced universally. Professional embroiderers’ organizations or guilds existed in Europe at least as early as the Middle Ages, and work of a professional quality was also done in convents, particularly in Italy and France. Embroidery has a long tradition of both professional and amateur production in Europe and was practiced universally. Professional embroiderers’ organizations or guilds existed in Europe at least as early as the Middle Ages, and work of a professional quality was also done in convents, particularly in Italy and France.