Group Correspondence Courses

Group up and start stitching!

Group Correspondence Courses (GCCs) offer low cost, high quality learning experiences for groups of up to 20 participants plus their group coordinator. GCCs are open to all EGA members. To register a group for a GCC fill the GCC Registration Paperwork found under GCC Documents and more information below.

Learn all about our GCCs

  • GCC Overview

    Group Correspondence Courses (GCCs) offer low cost, high quality learning experiences for groups of up to 20 participants plus their group coordinator. GCCs are open to all EGA members.

    • Participants work together or individually to learn new techniques. Participants share the course fee.
    • Each participant pays for his/her own text.  Participants provide their own supplies.  Note that on rare occasions, a teacher may include hard-to-find supplies with the text. This exception is noted in the course description.
    • The names and addresses of at least two supply sources are provided with every course.
    • Some students may have difficulty in finding and working with some of the unusual materials featured in GCCs. These materials have been included because they provide a variety of options for a student’s own work.

  • Group Coordinator

    Whether the GCC is offered by a chapter or a region, a group coordinator is appointed by the chapter or region to act as a liaison between the teacher and students. This coordinator orders the texts and arranges to have projects sent to the teacher for evaluation and evaluated projects returned to students.

    For this service, the group coordinator is charged no fee for the course, but does purchase a text and supplies.  EGA members-at-large may also form a group, appoint a group coordinator, and share in a GCC.

    Any individual member may register for a GCC and is responsible for the entire course fee, plus their text fee.

  • Enrollment and Cost

    Read the GCC description and choose carefully. Course fees are not refundable.

    • Up to 20 members plus their group coordinator can register as a group.
    • The group coordinator (or the Region GCC Chairman) downloads the registration form(available in the GCC Documents tab below). To request a paper copy sends a self-addressed, stamped envelope to EGA National Headquarters with a note requesting the form.
    • The group coordinator (or the Region GCC Chairman) sends the following to EGA National Headquarters:
      • The completed registration form
      • A list of participants with membership numbers
      • A check to cover the course and the text fees.  Please note: checks must be drawn from the chapter or region treasury.  Only members-at-large or independent groups may send personal checks.  Please contact EGA National Headquarters to pay by credit card.
    • EGA National Headquarters notifies the teacher of your registration. The teacher then contacts the group coordinator and sends the course texts and introductory materials to the group coordinator.
    • The group coordinator schedules the necessary number of meetings. When deciding on the date for the first meeting, allow time for processing your registration and text delivery. The date for your first meeting should be at least six weeks after EGA National Headquarters receives your completed registration form and check.
    • When all the paperwork is complete and you receive your texts, begin the fun, the learning, and the stitching.
    Cost

    The course, text, and approximate supply costs are listed with each of the course descriptions. The course fee is shared equally by participants, excluding the group coordinator. Each participant, including the group coordinator, purchases a text and supplies.

    If a region sponsors a GCC, the Region GCC Chairman is not required to be a participant, unless that conflicts with that region’s policies.

  • Completing the GCC

    • When your group completes the GCC, the group coordinator must send your projects to the teacher within 30 days of the scheduled deadline, unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher.  If the deadline is not met, the group forfeits the privilege of having its projects evaluated by the teacher.  Specific instruction about shipping GCC pieces to teacher who live outside the USA are included in the text.
    • The group coordinator must enclose return postage and insurance when sending the projects to the teacher for evaluation. If postage is not included, the teacher will contact the group coordinator to resolve the issue.
    • For chapters or regions participating in a GCC, the chapter or region name must appear on all correspondence and on each project sent for evaluation.
    • When the group coordinator receives the evaluated projects from the teacher, the group coordinator and each student complete the appropriate course evaluation forms.  Mail or email one copy to the teacher and one copy to the GCC Chairman.

  • GCC Documents and more information

    GCC Registration Paperwork

    GCC Thread Colors

    Pilot Stitcher Application

    Prospective GCC Teacher Application

    GCC: Overview

    For more information about Group Correspondence Courses, please contact GCC chair Judith Herrick.

  • GCC Lightning Rounds

    GCC Lightning Rounds are three-four rotating courses that are offered quarterly for all EGA members to register for without a group. This is particularly favorable for Members-At-Large and small EGA chapters that have difficulty filling a larger group in order to take a Group Correspondence Course.

    The registration schedule for these quarterly courses is as follows: March to May, June to August, September to November, and December to February. The time to complete your course remains the same – just the window for registration is limited. Learn more and see the current courses on the link below.

    Lightning Rounds

  • GCC: Encore

    GCC: Encores  are courses that were first taught at our seminars at least five years ago and have been rewritten for EGA’s Education Department as group correspondence courses. Encores will bridge the gap for members who weren’t able to take these classes at national or region seminars.

    These courses work just like regular GCCs and will be offered as Lightning Rounds in the future.

  • EGA Skill Level Definitions

    Basic: No experience with the technique being taught is necessary.

    Intermediate: Knowledge of basic stitches, materials, and their use in the technique being taught is required.

    Advanced: Ability to execute simple and difficult stitches in the technique is required. The student should also have knowledge of color and design that will allow exploration and creativity.

    All levels: Class is suitable for all levels.

  • Teach a Group Correspondence Course

    The GCC (Group Correspondence Course) program is looking for teachers to develop courses for our members. Each of these courses should be a project that can be stitched over a period of 5 to 6 months. The course should have about the same amount of information that would be covered in a two- to four-day workshop. We are interested in all techniques and stitching levels.

    The course must be an original design created for the program or a class previously taught at an EGA National Seminar.
    One value of the GCC program is the opportunity for the stitcher to have the teacher review the finished piece. This provides excellent feedback that normally is received in an in-person classroom setting.

    After a GCC text is developed, it is reviewed and piloted by a small group of stitchers. Once the text is approved, it becomes a part on the Education program for at least 3 years.

    Please contact the GCC Chair to learn more at gcc@egausa.org.

Choose your GCC

  • A Touch of Fall with Jane Ellen Balzuweit – Encore
    Taught by Jane Ellen Balzuweit (view bio)

    Jane Ellen Balzuweit holds teacher certifications in pulled thread and counted thread with the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. She has taught at various EGA national and regional seminars, Embroidery Association of Canada (EAC) seminars and for The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA). She authored correspondence courses for EGA and American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) and designed a petite project for EGA. Jane Ellen has taught cyber classes for ANG and the Shining Needle Society, designed for Rainbow Gallery and owned and operated a needlework store for 35 years.

    Group Correspondence Course: A Touch of Fall with Jane Ellen Balzuweit

    GCC, Counted Thread, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

    A Touch of Fall is created using a 17th century white work technique, Dresden Lace, a combination of pulled thread and surface embroidery.

  • Ancestree with Carolyn Standing Webb – Encore
    Taught by Carolyn Standing Webb (view bio)

    Carolyn Standing Webb has a degree in education but finds needlework much more rewarding to teach. She grew up in a home where art was a part of everyday life and creativity was encouraged. An EGA member of our Wasatch, Salt Lake City Chapter, she has been a needlework designer and teacher for over twenty years, teaching on the local, regional and national levels. She has a line of patterns available in retail stores. Several pieces of her work have been published in books and magazines and she has won a number of prizes for her needlework. She has her Master Craftsman in Counted Thread. Her goal is to share with her students her love of needlework and to help them relax and enjoy it.

    GCC, Counted Thread, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

    On Ancestree you will work on a tree of life design that will feature five generations of your family.

  • Avondale with Carol Currier
    Taught by Carol Peao Currier (view bio)

    Carol Currier is certified by the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) as a surface embroidery teacher. She served on the national board of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) for eight years including as national President from 2007-2009. Carol is currently the EGA Chair of the Master Craftsman program in crewel embroidery. She was honored in the September 2018 Needle Arts as Designer Across America. Carol holds memberships in EGA, NAN, American Needlepoint Guild (ANG), and National Association of Needlework Teachers (NETA). She is a partner in a needlework shop in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

    Avondale is an exploration of a summer garden using basic crewel embroidery stitches in interesting combinations.

  • Bargello and Design with Gail Stafford
    Taught by Gail Stafford (view bio)

    Gail Stafford holds EGA Master Craftsman certifications in Canvas Embroidery, Color for Needlework and Design for Needlework. She is the author of Undulations II, an EGA correspondence course. She has been on the faculty of ANG and EGA seminars and has presented numerous programs for ANG and EGA chapters. Her current needlework focus is on translating scenic images into canvas embroidery designs, but she also enjoys Bargello. Her work has won many prestigious awards and has been published in Needle Pointers, Needle Arts, and Needlepoint Now.

    GCC, Canvas, Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

    Bargello and Design is a course designed for intermediate and advanced stitchers who want to create their own square Bargello samplers. The class focus is to design a sampler, and Bargello is the type of canvas embroidery used in the design.

  • Beginner’s Hardanger with Marion Scoular
    Taught by Marion Scoular (view bio)

    Marion Scoular is a 3-year, Mark Excellent graduate of The Royal School of Needlework and a City and Guild’s Silver medallist. She has taught dressmaking in English High Schools, owned The Robin Hood Wool Shop for 13 years; taught Adult Education for Clemson University and has judged, lectured and taught in 49 states, Canada, Mexico and Australia. She is the author of many booklets and articles on Embroidery techniques

    GCC, Counted Thread, Skill Level: Beginner

    On Beginner's Hardanger students will learn the basic techniques of Hardanger with the option of stitching in a solid color or experimenting with Watercolours®.

  • Beginning Teneriffe Lace with Jonalene Gutwein
    Taught by Jonalene Gutwein (view bio)

    Jonalene is EGA certified in Counted Thread. She is a member of our Indian River Chapter in Florida and has been teaching various forms of needlework since 1982 at EGA chapters, and events at the regional and national level. She has over sixty needlework publications under the name of Friends in Needlework and three retired EGA Group Correspondence Courses.

    GCC, Lace, Skill Level: Beginner

    Beginning Teneriffe Lace will give you the basics of the beautiful needlelace technique of Teneriffe.

  • Cosmos with Kim Sanders – Encore
    Taught by Kim Sanders (view bio)

    Kim Sanders is an EGA certified teacher in crewel and surface embroidery and a Master Craftsman in surface embroidery and in smocking. She holds a degree in Textiles and Clothing from the University of Tennessee. Kim has taught at shops, chapters, EGA national and regional seminars and has authored four GCC, an ICC, and several Petite Projects. Her articles and designs have appeared in Inspirations, Needle Arts, Australian Smocking and Embroidery and The Smocking Arts. She filmed four embroidery focused segments of the PBS program, Creative Living with Sheryl Borden.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Intermediate

    Cosmos introduces students to needle painting, one of the most realistic forms of surface embroidery.

  • Daydreams with Barbara Kershaw – Encore
    Taught by Barbara M. Kershaw (view bio)

    Barbara M. Kershaw has a passion for learning and sharing her knowledge of the many varied and wonderful forms of embroidery generally called whitework. She has taken many courses and classes from the EAC, EGA, and ANG. Barbara is certified as an EGA Master Craftsman in counted thread. She also studied in Germany at the Museum de Schwalm in 2005 and 2011. She has been teaching for over 20 years at various EAC national seminars, EGA national and regional seminars, guilds in Canada, America and Bermuda as well as two International teaching tours of the USA. Barbara is the author of EGA Group Correspondence Courses – Noel and Individual Correspondence Course Basic Study of Schwalm Embroidery. Her book Exquisite Schwalm focuses on Schwalm filling stitches.

    GCC, Schwalm, Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

    Join Barbara Kershaw in Daydreams, a Group Correspondence Course focused on Schwalm embroidery, a beautiful form of German whitework embroidery traditionally worked on an off white evenweave linen with white thread.

  • Embroidery with Mixed Media with Laura Smith
    Taught by Laura Smith (view bio)

    Laura Smith is an embroidery innovator, nationally known designer, and process style teacher.She holds the EGA Master Craftsman in Color and has served as chair for the Master Craftsman in Color Program since 2006. She is a past Chairman of Fiber Forum (2011-2015) and a former director of an arts center. Her education in chemistry has helped her to understand mixed media and textiles. Her website is www.Stitch4Fun.com.

    GCC, Mixed Media and 3D, Skill Level: All Levels

    Study the amazing possibilities of four cool “new” mixed media materials on Embroidery with Mixed Media.

  • English Summer with Cheryl Sharp
    Taught by Cheryl Sharp (view bio)

    Cheryl Sharp has been a member of the Washington DC Chapter of EGA since 1981. She took a wide variety of classes in her chapter, region and at National Seminars before focusing on surface embroidery. She particularly enjoys crewel embroidery and stumpwork, and she adds beads and metal threads to spice things up! She was chair of EGA’s 17th National Exhibit and has been a contributing editor of Needle Arts since 2008, writing the Design Across America series as well as project articles. In 2007, she co-authored A Sampler of Crewel Stitches after examining an embroidery from EGA’s collection.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, Skill Level: Beginner

    On English Summer you will learn how to prepare the fabric, transfer designs, and set up an embroidery on stretcher bars among other things.

  • Fall Colors, A Study in Rozashi with Margaret Kinsey – Encore
    Taught by Margaret Kinsey (view bio)

    Margaret Kinsey is an EGA certified teacher in silk and metal thread embroidery. She is certified to teach Japanese traditional embroidery. She is the designated US teacher for the Kunimitsu Rozashi Studio and studies with Fumiko Ozaki. Margaret is the 2010 recipient of the national EGA Gold Thread Award and teaches at all levels of EGA. She teaches at national seminars and chapters of ANG and EAC. She was the 2012 keynote speaker and taught at the New Zealand Embroidery Guild Conference in Christchurch, NZ, and toured, taught, and lectured additional venues in New Zealand. Margaret chaired the 5th, 6th and 7th EGA International Embroidery Conferences. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NAN, 2021.

    GCC, Counted Thread, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Beginner

    Fall Colors is a study in traditional Rozashi embroidery. The leaves, the water, the water lines, the sky, background are a study in the stitches that are traditional to Rozashi. Available to individual members as a GCC Lightning Round through May 31, 2024. Register here!

  • Fandango with Barbara Kershaw – Encore
    Taught by Barbara M. Kershaw (view bio)

    Barbara M. Kershaw has a passion for learning and sharing her knowledge of the many varied and wonderful forms of embroidery generally called whitework. She has taken many courses and classes from the EAC, EGA, and ANG. Barbara is certified as an EGA Master Craftsman in counted thread. She also studied in Germany at the Museum de Schwalm in 2005 and 2011. She has been teaching for over 20 years at various EAC national seminars, EGA national and regional seminars, guilds in Canada, America and Bermuda as well as two International teaching tours of the USA. Barbara is the author of EGA Group Correspondence Courses – Noel and Individual Correspondence Course Basic Study of Schwalm Embroidery. Her book Exquisite Schwalm focuses on Schwalm filling stitches.

    GCC, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

    Fandango is focused on Punto Antico, one of many beautiful styles of Italian whitework embroidery.

  • Finishing with Flair with Marion Scoular
    Taught by Marion Scoular (view bio)

    Marion Scoular is a 3-year, Mark Excellent graduate of The Royal School of Needlework and a City and Guild’s Silver medallist. She has taught dressmaking in English High Schools, owned The Robin Hood Wool Shop for 13 years; taught Adult Education for Clemson University and has judged, lectured and taught in 49 states, Canada, Mexico and Australia. She is the author of many booklets and articles on Embroidery techniques

    GCC, Finishing, Skill Level: Beginner

    Finishing with Flair is a notebook Group Correspondence Course covering three useful techniques for finishing needlework and instructions for lacing needlework for framing.

  • Guanin: Gourd Flower with Margaret Kinsey
    Taught by Margaret Kinsey (view bio)

    Margaret Kinsey is an EGA certified teacher in silk and metal thread embroidery. She is certified to teach Japanese traditional embroidery. She is the designated US teacher for the Kunimitsu Rozashi Studio and studies with Fumiko Ozaki. Margaret is the 2010 recipient of the national EGA Gold Thread Award and teaches at all levels of EGA. She teaches at national seminars and chapters of ANG and EAC. She was the 2012 keynote speaker and taught at the New Zealand Embroidery Guild Conference in Christchurch, NZ, and toured, taught, and lectured additional venues in New Zealand. Margaret chaired the 5th, 6th and 7th EGA International Embroidery Conferences. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NAN, 2021.

    GCC, Silk and Metal, Skill Level: Beginner

    Guanin: Gourd Flower with teacher Margaret Kinsey is a study of Silk and Metal Threads for beginners. In this study, the beginning student will work with gold twist, #5 Japan gold, #7 gold check thread, Copper pearl purl, copper twist, copper check purl, #1 Copper, and silk floss. The ground fabric is silk satin with a cotton backing fabric.

  • Hearts for You with Denise Harrington Pratt
    Taught by Denise Harrington Pratt (view bio)

    Denise Harrington Pratt is an artist and needlework designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a passion for counted thread embroidery on linen. Denise has been teaching needlework since 1995. She has taught at Spirit of Cross Stitch Festivals, National and Regional Seminars for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc., and EGA chapters. She also has developed Group Correspondence Courses and Online Courses for EGA. Denise is an active member of the Southern Maine Chapter of EGA.

    GCC, Counted Thread, Skill Level: Intermediate

    Our Group Correspondence Course Hearts for You with Denise Harrington Pratt is an opportunity for the student to learn a variety of finishing techniques for use with counted thread work and to create a lovely four-piece set of needlework accoutrements.

  • How Does Your Garden Grow? with Carol Currier
    Taught by Carol Peao Currier (view bio)

    Carol Currier is certified by the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) as a surface embroidery teacher. She served on the national board of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) for eight years including as national President from 2007-2009. Carol is currently the EGA Chair of the Master Craftsman program in crewel embroidery. She was honored in the September 2018 Needle Arts as Designer Across America. Carol holds memberships in EGA, NAN, American Needlepoint Guild (ANG), and National Association of Needlework Teachers (NETA). She is a partner in a needlework shop in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, Skill Level: Beginner

    How Does Your Garden Grow? is a study of basic crewel stitches and techniques. The design is worked on crewel linen or linen twill in your choice of color.

  • Jacobean Fantasy with Kay Stanis – Encore
    Taught by Kay Stanis (view bio)

    Kay Stanis is an internationally known fiber artist, designer, Master Craftsman, and Certified and Graduate Certified Teacher of EGA and Kurenai Kai Traditional Japanese Embroidery.  She has been on the faculties of American Needlepoint Guild national seminars, Callaway School of Needlearts, Embroiderers Association of Canada, EGA national and regional seminars, Koala Conventions, South Australia Embroidery Conference, Embroidery 2000 (New Zealand), and many independent groups.

    GCC, GCC Encore, Silk and Metal, Skill Level: Advanced

    Giving new interpretation to designs of the seventeenth century and blending them with the silk and metal of the twenty-first, in Jacobean Fantasy, we will create an exquisite floral design on silk fabric with detached sheer fabric.

  • Keeping in Shape with Gwen Nelson
    Taught by Gwen Nelson (view bio)

    Gwen T. Nelson joined The Embroiderers’ Guild of America in 1997.  She is a member of the Louisville Chapter and a member of National Embroidery Teachers’ Association. She has served as the Tennessee Valley Region Director for four years, has chaired two region seminars and has served as the EGA national president. Gwen has been designing and teaching beaded pieces since 2000. She has taught both at the EGA chapter and region levels and at other venues outside of EGA. Gwen designed the pieces that were beaded by the thirteen region directors for the live auctions at the 2009, 2010, and 2011 EGA national seminars and the pieces that were donated by the EGA executive committee for the auction at the 2013 and 2014 national seminars. She also designed the 2013 national seminar logo beaded pin.

    Gwen Nelson has been a teacher, Personnel Director for Jefferson County (KY) Government and a high school principal. Gwen has her doctorate In Administration and Finance from the University of Louisville.

    GCC, Beading, Skill Level: Intermediate

    On Keeping in Shape, the student uses various techniques such as circular and flat peyote to make a necklace with 13 three-dimensional beaded pieces.

  • Love and Laughter with Denise Harrington Pratt – Encore
    Taught by Denise Harrington Pratt (view bio)

    Denise Harrington Pratt is an artist and needlework designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a passion for counted thread embroidery on linen. Denise has been teaching needlework since 1995. She has taught at Spirit of Cross Stitch Festivals, National and Regional Seminars for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc., and EGA chapters. She also has developed Group Correspondence Courses and Online Courses for EGA. Denise is an active member of the Southern Maine Chapter of EGA.

    GCC, Counted Thread, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Intermediate

    This lovely counted thread piece was inspired by the abundance of colors and flowers in nature. It was also inspired by the abundance of stitches available to the counted thread embroiderer. And Denise’s motto is, when you don’t have the stitch you need, invent one! This piece offers the student a great opportunity to play with a lot of different stitches that are used in unique ways to create vibrant, stylized flowers.

  • Mark and Paint on Canvas and Fabric with Laura Smith
    Taught by Laura Smith (view bio)

    Laura Smith is an embroidery innovator, nationally known designer, and process style teacher.She holds the EGA Master Craftsman in Color and has served as chair for the Master Craftsman in Color Program since 2006. She is a past Chairman of Fiber Forum (2011-2015) and a former director of an arts center. Her education in chemistry has helped her to understand mixed media and textiles. Her website is www.Stitch4Fun.com.

    GCC, Mixed Media and 3D, Skill Level: All Levels

    On our Group Correspondence Course Mark and Paint on Canvas and Fabric, you will mark and paint one design onto needlepoint canvas and one onto silk fabric.

  • More Than a Rose with Melinda Sherbring
    Taught by Melinda Sherbring (view bio)

    Melinda Sherbring came to embroidery through her fascination with historical crafts. An aerospace software engineer until retiring in 2013, she now teaches needlework with designs rooted in history. She has written two EGA GCCs, taught EGA’s 2020 Extended Study Program, and was featured in the March 2018 Needle Arts magazine as Designer Across America.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, Skill Level: Intermediate

    More Than a Rose is a small piece designed to introduce students to some stitches and raised work techniques used on English sweet bags ca. 1600.

  • Mythical Myrtle with Barbara Kershaw – Encore
    Taught by Barbara M. Kershaw (view bio)

    Barbara M. Kershaw has a passion for learning and sharing her knowledge of the many varied and wonderful forms of embroidery generally called whitework. She has taken many courses and classes from the EAC, EGA, and ANG. Barbara is certified as an EGA Master Craftsman in counted thread. She also studied in Germany at the Museum de Schwalm in 2005 and 2011. She has been teaching for over 20 years at various EAC national seminars, EGA national and regional seminars, guilds in Canada, America and Bermuda as well as two International teaching tours of the USA. Barbara is the author of EGA Group Correspondence Courses – Noel and Individual Correspondence Course Basic Study of Schwalm Embroidery. Her book Exquisite Schwalm focuses on Schwalm filling stitches.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, Counted Thread, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Intermediate

    Explore the magnificent stitches of Casalguidi embroidery in Mythical Myrtle. Available to individual members as a GCC Lightning Round through May 31, 2024. Register here!

  • GCC, Counted Thread, Skill Level: Beginner

    Papillon is an introductory course on filet embroidery. In this 5-lesson course participants will learn briefly about the history of filet work.

  • Perfectly Counted Crosses with Carolyn Standing Webb
    Taught by Carolyn Standing Webb (view bio)

    Carolyn Standing Webb has a degree in education but finds needlework much more rewarding to teach. She grew up in a home where art was a part of everyday life and creativity was encouraged. An EGA member of our Wasatch, Salt Lake City Chapter, she has been a needlework designer and teacher for over twenty years, teaching on the local, regional and national levels. She has a line of patterns available in retail stores. Several pieces of her work have been published in books and magazines and she has won a number of prizes for her needlework. She has her Master Craftsman in Counted Thread. Her goal is to share with her students her love of needlework and to help them relax and enjoy it.

    GCC, Counted Thread, Skill Level: Beginner

    In Perfectly Counted Crosses you will learn how to create a sampler that will dazzle those who see it with perfectly executed crossed stitches.

  • Pulled Stitches Clover with Marion Scoular – Encore
    Taught by Marion Scoular (view bio)

    Marion Scoular is a 3-year, Mark Excellent graduate of The Royal School of Needlework and a City and Guild’s Silver medallist. She has taught dressmaking in English High Schools, owned The Robin Hood Wool Shop for 13 years; taught Adult Education for Clemson University and has judged, lectured and taught in 49 states, Canada, Mexico and Australia. She is the author of many booklets and articles on Embroidery techniques

    GCC, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Intermediate

    The leaves and blooms of the charming clover design contain twelve pulled fillings in a variety of patterns. There are both linear and diaper patterns in which the emphasis is placed on tension. Tension, of course, creates a significant change in the texture of the fabric. In pulled stitches, the effect is achieved by what the stitches do, not the appearance of the stitches themselves. Available to individual members as a GCC Lightning Round through May 31, 2024. Register here!

  • Reticello Needle Book with Jonalene Gutwein
    Taught by Jonalene Gutwein (view bio)

    Jonalene is EGA certified in Counted Thread. She is a member of our Indian River Chapter in Florida and has been teaching various forms of needlework since 1982 at EGA chapters, and events at the regional and national level. She has over sixty needlework publications under the name of Friends in Needlework and three retired EGA Group Correspondence Courses.

    GCC, Lace, Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

    This Group Correspondence Course is the next step for the experienced drawn thread enthusiasts who wish to begin learning the technique of reticello. It incorporates the pulled 4-sided stitch, the cutting of threads in both directions, satin stitched edges, and needle weaving.

  • GCC, Canvas, Skill Level: Intermediate

    In Shimmering Dreams, ever-larger sparkling squares rotate around a shiny central medallion to finish in a star silhouette.

  • Snowflake Ball with Denise Harrington Pratt
    Taught by Denise Harrington Pratt (view bio)

    Denise Harrington Pratt is an artist and needlework designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a passion for counted thread embroidery on linen. Denise has been teaching needlework since 1995. She has taught at Spirit of Cross Stitch Festivals, National and Regional Seminars for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc., and EGA chapters. She also has developed Group Correspondence Courses and Online Courses for EGA. Denise is an active member of the Southern Maine Chapter of EGA.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, Skill Level: All Levels

    The Snowflake Ball is a three-dimensional, beaded needlework ball. You don’t have to understand geometry to stitch this fun piece.

  • Star-Spangled Puzzle Ball with Denise Harrington Pratt
    Taught by Denise Harrington Pratt (view bio)

    Denise Harrington Pratt is an artist and needlework designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a passion for counted thread embroidery on linen. Denise has been teaching needlework since 1995. She has taught at Spirit of Cross Stitch Festivals, National and Regional Seminars for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc., and EGA chapters. She also has developed Group Correspondence Courses and Online Courses for EGA. Denise is an active member of the Southern Maine Chapter of EGA.

    GCC, Counted Thread, Skill Level: Intermediate

    Star-Spangled Puzzle Ball offers the opportunity to discover the joy of taking counted thread embroidery into three dimensions by creating a “puzzle ball.” Available to individual members as a GCC Lightning Round through May 31, 2024. Register here!

  • Sweet Bag Sewed of Silver and Gold with Melinda Sherbring
    Taught by Melinda Sherbring (view bio)

    Melinda Sherbring came to embroidery through her fascination with historical crafts. An aerospace software engineer until retiring in 2013, she now teaches needlework with designs rooted in history. She has written two EGA GCCs, taught EGA’s 2020 Extended Study Program, and was featured in the March 2018 Needle Arts magazine as Designer Across America.

    GCC, Surface Embroidery, Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

    Stitch an embroidered bag like the ones that were in style in England from the mid-1500s to the mid-1600s on Sweet Bag Sewed of Silver and Gold.

  • Symphony with Barbara Kershaw
    Taught by Barbara M. Kershaw (view bio)

    Barbara M. Kershaw has a passion for learning and sharing her knowledge of the many varied and wonderful forms of embroidery generally called whitework. She has taken many courses and classes from the EAC, EGA, and ANG. Barbara is certified as an EGA Master Craftsman in counted thread. She also studied in Germany at the Museum de Schwalm in 2005 and 2011. She has been teaching for over 20 years at various EAC national seminars, EGA national and regional seminars, guilds in Canada, America and Bermuda as well as two International teaching tours of the USA. Barbara is the author of EGA Group Correspondence Courses – Noel and Individual Correspondence Course Basic Study of Schwalm Embroidery. Her book Exquisite Schwalm focuses on Schwalm filling stitches.

    GCC, Skill Level: Intermediate

    Work on a beautiful, pulled thread set comprising of an embroidery pouch and smalls that will be a wonderful addition to your sewing basket.

  • Taming the Stash Monster with Laura Smith
    Taught by Laura Smith (view bio)

    Laura Smith is an embroidery innovator, nationally known designer, and process style teacher.She holds the EGA Master Craftsman in Color and has served as chair for the Master Craftsman in Color Program since 2006. She is a past Chairman of Fiber Forum (2011-2015) and a former director of an arts center. Her education in chemistry has helped her to understand mixed media and textiles. Her website is www.Stitch4Fun.com.

    GCC, Organization, Skill Level: All Levels

    Get your stash under control with our course Taming the Stash Monster: Clearing your stash, purchasing strategies, archival storage, inventory and more.

  • Thank Goodness It’s Finished with Kim Sanders
    Taught by Kim Sanders (view bio)

    Kim Sanders is an EGA certified teacher in crewel and surface embroidery and a Master Craftsman in surface embroidery and in smocking. She holds a degree in Textiles and Clothing from the University of Tennessee. Kim has taught at shops, chapters, EGA national and regional seminars and has authored four GCC, an ICC, and several Petite Projects. Her articles and designs have appeared in Inspirations, Needle Arts, Australian Smocking and Embroidery and The Smocking Arts. She filmed four embroidery focused segments of the PBS program, Creative Living with Sheryl Borden.

    GCC, Finishing, Skill Level: All Levels

    Thank Goodness It’s Finished teaches a variety of skills needed to assemble embroideries into their final form. Available to individual members as a GCC Lightning Round through May 31, 2024. Register here!

  • The Princess and the Pea with Marion Scoular – Encore
    Taught by Marion Scoular (view bio)

    Marion Scoular is a 3-year, Mark Excellent graduate of The Royal School of Needlework and a City and Guild’s Silver medallist. She has taught dressmaking in English High Schools, owned The Robin Hood Wool Shop for 13 years; taught Adult Education for Clemson University and has judged, lectured and taught in 49 states, Canada, Mexico and Australia. She is the author of many booklets and articles on Embroidery techniques

    GCC, Counted Thread, GCC Encore, Skill Level: Intermediate

    Teacher Marion Scoular's interpretation of the beloved fairy tale includes pattern darning, Blackwork, Hardanger (no cutting!) and a small amount of surface stitchery, all explicitly covered in a 26-page, well-illustrated booklet.