EGA Blog

Bobbie Pilling Memorial Award 2025: Show us your “Outside the Box” Embroidery Work

The deadline for entering a work for the Bobbie Pilling Memorial Award is rapidly approaching. Have you stretched yourself…to be creative, to experiment, to go beyond your comfort zone by thinking “outside the box”? Have you taken the traditional and turned it inside out using stitches and materials in an unusual and modern way? If […]

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FlossTube: See a Work-In-Progress Parade from EGA National Seminars

How many work-in-progress (WIPs) projects do you currently have? We have quite a few so we won’t judge. Today we are sharing a WIP parade focusing on classes from different EGA National Seminars that we are still working on! EGA National seminars have classes by outstanding teachers from all over the world and on this […]

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Registration for our August 2025 Growing Your Connection EGA Meeting: Group Correspondence Courses

Our next Growing Your Connection topic is Group Correspondence Courses (GCCs) and will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at 1:00 pm EDT; Noon CDT; 11:00 am MDT; 10:00 am PDT. Have you seen all the GCCs EGA offers? Do you know what a GCC is? Have you had questions you would like to ask […]

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Enter the 2025 Golden Needle Awards, Open to All Forms of Creative Needlework

The theme for the 2025 Golden Needle Awards is Going to the Faire, a nod to the theme the 2025 National Seminar is using this fall in Dallas, TX: Needlework Faire. It can be interpreted in many ways—from a state fair to a book fair, a memory or pure imagination, whatever sparks your creativity. Three […]

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August 2025 Stitch-a-long: Elephant Embroidery

  For our August 2025 stitch-a-long on Facebook we are stitching a beautiful elephant embroidery pattern by Riki Inge from Rikrack Embroidery. The instructions for this project can be found here.  If you are an EGA member you may download the pattern from the Member’s Only Publications page. Check it out, there are many goodies […]

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Interview with Cheryl Sharp: A Life with Embroidery

Cheryl Sharp’s English Summer has been a featured Group Correspondence Course for some time now, and is currently a GCC Lightning Round for individual EGA members through August 31, 2025. However, the beginner-friendly surface embroidery course, which also teaches stitchers valuable lessons for preparing fabric, transferring designs, and setting up embroidery on stretcher bars, is […]

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Registration Closing Soon: Goldwork Peony with Lizzy Pye, Learn a Variety of Traditional Goldwork Techniques

Registration for our Online Studio class Goldwork Peony with Lizzy Pye is open through August 4, 2025! Learn a variety of traditional goldwork techniques with this sparkling gold peony. Techniques include: felt padding, thick felt padding, metallic kid leather, string padding, plain couching, combined couching, colored couching, pearl purl, chipping, spangles, cutwork and plate. This […]

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Embroidery Techniques from Around the World: Reticella

Technique: Reticella Place of Origin: Italy Earliest known date: late 15th century History: Reticella (or Reticello, Italian for little net) is a style of needle lace that arose in the medieval period of the late 1400s. Reticella has a place within the evolution of cutwork embroidery; it is believed to have been the descendant of […]

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Registration Closing Soon: Spring Wreath with Emma Broughton, An Exquisite Floral Embroidery Project

Registration is open for our Online Studio class Spring Wreath with Emma Broughton through August 6, 2025! This exquisite floral embroidery is not just for beginners and it’s a great project to work on at your own pace. There are five colorways to choose from: orange, red, purple, blue, and pink. The stitches you will […]

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EGA’s National Nominating Committee is Looking for Volunteers like You!

The National Nominating Committee (NNC) is responsible for recruiting members to serve on the Executive Committee, the National Seminar Committee, Through the Needle’s Eye National Exhibit, and other positions as needed. The committee is composed of seven members from various Regions across the country. Short monthly meetings on Zoom make it easy to stay in […]

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New Petite Project for EGA Members: Variations on a Theme: Backstitch

The Education Department is pleased to announce the newest project in the Petite Project series for EGA members, Variations on a Theme: Backstitch by Kim Sanders. One of the fun aspects of embroidery is you can take a basic stitch and create different looks by building on it in different ways. Backstitch can be stitched […]

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Interview with Carol Currier: Texture and Color in Crewel Embroidery

Carol Currier has a long history with the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. Carol served on the national board of EGA for eight years, including as national President from 2007-2009. She is also the current EGA Chair of the Master Craftsman program in crewel embroidery and has four classes available through EGA’s many educational programs: Trio, […]

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Registration for our July 2025 Growing Your Connection EGA Webinar: Google Forms

Register for our next Growing Your Connection webinar on Saturday, July 26 at 1:00 PM eastern where the topic will be Google Forms! Do you need a survey? A contact form? A form for workshops? We will learn how to create a basic form using Google Forms, which is free with any Google account, and […]

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Embroidery Techniques from Around the World: Phulkari

Technique: Phulkari Place of Origin: Punjab region of South Asia Earliest known date: 15th century History: Phulkari’s origins are difficult to pinpoint. Some historians believe the style was popular as long ago as the 7th century. In the 7th century biography of the Indian emperor Harshavardhana, it states that “some people were embroidering flowers and […]

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Community Spotlight on Wendy Moore: Rennie’s Rose Garden

Registration for EGA’s second Virtual Education Course, Rennie’s Rose Garden with Wendy Moore, closes on August 1, 2025. When the chance to present a class with Wendy Moore arose, the Embroiderers’ Guild of America leaped at the opportunity. Wendy’s distinctive history in fine arts, costume design, and as a needlework artist and teacher creates a […]

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Interview with Tanya Bentham: The Irreverent World of Medieval Embroidery

Tanya Bentham has studied and worked with medieval embroidery stitches and materials for most of her adult life. She’s written three books on medieval embroidery and opus anglicanum, hosts a private opus anglicanum Facebook group, and shares medieval embroidery kits and coursework via her website, opusanglicanumembroidery.com. We were delighted to sit down with Tanya ahead […]

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Outside the Hoop: Colorful Beaded Medallions by Lisa Yang

EGA is excited to present a new series of free project tutorials under the heading, “Outside the Hoop.” As its name suggests, the Outside the Hoop series will focus on entry-level projects that take stitchers outside of the traditional embroidery hoop. Prepare to explore beading, mending, and other styles of needlework that may utilize techniques […]

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July 2025 Stitch-a-long: American Flag Pin

For our July 2025 stitch-a-long on Facebook we are stitching a patriotic American Flag Pin by Carol Light. If you are an EGA member you may download this project from the Member’s Only Publications page. Check it out, there are many goodies there for your stitching journey. If you are not an EGA member yet, […]

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Video: Growing Your Connection with EGA Webinar June 2025 – Understanding Chapter Finances

Our latest Growing Your Connection webinar was on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The discussion on this webinar focused on Understanding Chapter Finances. Are you a Chapter Treasurer or President wondering if chapter finances are being handled in a responsible way? Are you a member maybe willing to be a chapter treasurer if only you knew […]

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Needlework Faire: Virtual Classes with Hazel Blomkamp and Helen McCook Closing July 7

Did you know the four virtual classes offered in conjunction with EGA Seminar 2025 will close on July 7? These four classes are scheduled for September and October via Zoom and will be completed before the start of Seminar. You can find out more about these classes taught by Helen McCook and Hazel Blomkamp here: […]

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Retiring Soon: Group Correspondence Course English Summer with Cheryl Sharp

Our Group Correspondence Course English Summer with Cheryl Sharp will be retired on December 31, 2025. While it will be available for groups until that date, it is available for individual members as a GCC Lightning Round only through August 31, 2025. Register here! Do you want to improve your stitching? Then our Group Correspondence […]

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Check out our Latest Lightning Rounds: Needlework Courses featuring Crewel, Schwalm embroidery, Counted Thread and more

It’s a great time to learn something new! Any EGA member may register for the Lightning Rounds featured below though August 31, 2025. Lightning Rounds Every quarter, our Education Department selects some of our Group Correspondence Courses(GCC) and these are made available for members to register individually without needing a group. These correspondence courses are […]

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EGA’s Metropolitan Region: Join us for a lecture with Ann Strite-Kurz and a class with Sandie Cormaci-Boles

The Metropolitan Region will be having two events Mermaid Sewing Pouch with Sandie Cormaci-Boles Sandie Cormaci-Boles will be teaching the next online class for the Metropolitan Region, with her design, Mermaid Sewing Pouch.  Class will begin on October 7th, 2025 when the first lesson is emailed; more lessons will be provided every week. Zoom classes […]

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Registration for our June 2025 Growing Your Connection Webinar: Understanding Your Chapter Finances

Register for our next Growing Your Connection webinar on Saturday, June 28 at 1:00 PM eastern where the topic will be Understanding Your Chapter Finances! Are you a Chapter Treasurer or President wondering if chapter finances are being handled in a responsible way?  Are you a member maybe willing to be a chapter treasurer if only […]

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Learn from International Needlework Teacher Clara Warschauer at these Upcoming EGA Classes

Clara Warschauer will be visiting the United States in November of this year to teach at our 2025 National Seminar: Needlework Faire in Dallas, Texas. She will also be teaching at some of our chapters and regions as part of the International Teacher Tour. Here’s more information about Clara and these exciting classes! Interested members […]

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Community Spotlight on Barbara Jackson: Shading Traditions

Shading methods are one of the most important lessons we can learn for adding depth, shadow, and light to our embroidery pieces. Early English crewel embroidery provides excellent examples of advanced shading methods accomplished with a variety of stitches, wools, and embroidery techniques. EGA is very excited to host Barbara Jackson, a graduate of the […]

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Video: Growing Your Connection with EGA Webinar May 2025 – EGA’s Forums & Groups

Our latest Growing Your Connection webinar was on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The discussion on this webinar focused on utilizing the groups and forums on the EGA website to grow your connections with other EGA members and as a tool to communicate with your chapter. Jana Bass, Online Education Coordinator for our Great Lakes Region, […]

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EGA National Seminar 2026 Announces Faculty for ‘Wish Upon a Stitch’ in Orlando, Florida

Our 2026 National Seminar: Wish Upon a Stitch, hosted by our Sun Region, will take place on October 9, 2026 – October 14, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando! We are excited to announce our faculty of 18 teachers who are looking forward to greeting you in October 2026 for class. When registration starts later […]

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June 2025 Stitch-a-long: Betta Fish

For our June 2025 stitch-a-long on Facebook we are stitching an adorable betta fish by EGA stitch-a-long admin Helena Whyte. Here’s more about the design from stitch-a-long admin Stephanie Murphy: “Our project for the month is a cute Betta Fish, designed and stitched by our own co-admin, Helena Whyte, of the Pajarito Chapter of New […]

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Interview with Laurie Kelly: The Art of Needlework Appraisals

Have you ever considered having your needlework appraised? We sat down with Laurie Kelly, needleworker and professional Personal Property Appraiser specializing in needlework, ahead of her virtual lecture on The Art and Science of Appraising Needlework, to learn more about appraisals. Laurie’s work goes beyond simply assessing the value of embroidery; she shared some intriguing […]

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Embroidery Techniques from Around the World: Blackwork

Technique: Blackwork embroidery Place of Origin: England Earliest known date: 15th century History: It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of Blackwork embroidery, as elements of the style have been practiced in several different cultures throughout recorded history. Similar counted-thread techniques were practiced in Moorish Spain, Slavic countries across eastern Europe, and Islamic countries […]

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Community Spotlight: Louisville Chapter EGA + Bryce Romig

Did you know that several EGA chapters have their own social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok? We are always happy to see chapters like SOME Chapter EGA, Knoxville Chapter, Susquehanna Chapter, Bucks County Chapter, Virginia Tech Chapter, Philadelphia Chapter, Tucson Chapter, and Louisville Chapter consistently post photos and videos showcasing their thriving, […]

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Photos: See the Wonderful Embroidery from our 2025 Fiber Forum

We have some wonderful embroidery to share as part of this year’s Fiber Forum! The purpose of Fiber Forum is to promote and advance embroidery as an art form through the exhibition of original works. Every year, new members are juried into Fiber Forum by academics and professional artists who are active in their field […]

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6 Fresh Ideas for Embroidery Samplers

Embroidery Samplers hold a special place in the needlework community, and for good reason. Many stitchers develop their passion for embroidery through the stitch sampler. Historically, schoolgirl stitch samplers preserve the handwork legacy of young women, which would otherwise be lost to time. Today, we’re sharing some fresh ideas for embroidery samplers that will invigorate […]

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New Group Correspondence Course: Uncommon Stitches with Melinda Sherbring

Our Education Department has added a new course to our selection of Group Correspondence Courses: Uncommon Stitches with Melinda Sherbring. Are you inspired by embroidered book covers of the late 16th and early 17th centuries? Do you collect unusual stitches — ones uncommon in modern embroidery? If you answered “Yes” to any one of those […]

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Registration for our May 2025 Growing Your Connection Webinar: EGA’s Forums & Groups

Register for our next Growing Your Connection webinar on Saturday, May 31 at 1:00 PM eastern where the topic will be EGA’s Forums & Groups! Did you know that egausa.org has its own media tools to keep us more connected? Learn how to create and use the Forums and Groups on the egausa.org website. Click […]

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Exploring Samplers with Becky Noland and Sylvia Stecker

EGA was excited to learn more about the beauty of samplers with Becky Noland and Sylvia Stecker, the two teachers leading Sampler University at National Seminar 2025: Needlework Faire in Dallas. Both Becky and Sylvia have immersed themselves in the world of samplers for some time, drawing inspiration from generations of stitched samplers and developing […]

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Register Today: Online Studio Class Whitework Sampler with Janet Salerno

Registration is open for our Online Studio class Whitework Sampler with Janet Salerno! Try your hand at this counted thread technique and create a beautiful eight-band bell pull sampler. The two whitework techniques taught in this class are pulled thread and drawn thread. It is stitched on 28-count fabric with #8 and #12 pearl cotton. […]

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Embroidery Techniques from Around the World: Suzhou

Technique: Suzhou (Su) Embroidery Place of Origin: Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China Earliest known date: 220 AD History: Suzhou, or Su Xiu (苏绣), embroidery, is one of the oldest embroidery techniques, originating in China more than two thousand years ago during the Three Kingdoms era (220-280 AD). Also known as Su embroidery, Suzhou utilizes split silk […]

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May 2025 Stitch-a-long: Lovin’ Needlework

For our May 2025 stitch-a-long on Facebook we are working on Lovin’ Needlework a needlepoint design by EGA member Maria Perez of our Three Rivers Chapter. Here’s more about the design from Maria: “Hi, Friends! This is my original design for a beginner needlepoint heart that anyone can do! The heart is divided in several […]

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Registration Closing Soon: Virtual Lecture on Erica Wilson’s Life in Stitches with Dr. Anne Hilker

Registration for our next virtual lecture Erica Wilson’s Life in Stitches with Dr. Anne Hilker is open to EGA members through May 8, 2025 1PM Eastern. Not an EGA member yet? This is the perfect time to join one of our chapters or as a member at-large and participate in all the educational offerings EGA […]

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Chapter News: Monmouth Chapter’s Class with Gail Stafford and Aiken Stitchin’ Belles Classes with Kim Sanders

Today we are bringing you news from the Monmouth Chapter in New Jersey and the Aiken Stitchin’ Belles Chapter in South Carolina. We encourage you to learn more about them by clicking on their name. Now you can join or renew your membership with our chapters directly from our website!

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Video: See the 2025 EGA Semi-Annual Update featuring reports on Education, Marketing and more

Our 2025 virtual semi-annual update took place in April of 2025. During this update, national EGA leadership presented reports on ongoing initiatives, shared news, and answered member questions. Having trouble seeing the video? Watch on Youtube!

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Community Spotlight: on Kay Stanis: Engaging the Viewer with Multi-Dimensional Designs

For this month’s Community Spotlight we sat down with Kay Stanis, internationally known fiber artist, designer, Master Craftsman, and Certified and Graduate Certified EGA Teacher. Kay is a juried member of EGA’s Fiber Forum and has taught at EGA’s National Seminars, and her current correspondence course, Jacobean Fantasy, is available as a GCC Lightning Round […]

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EGA’s Guide to Embroidery Needles

Having the right embroidery needle is an essential factor for a successful embroidery project. There are almost as many types of needle as there are types of embroidery. Choosing the wrong needle for your desired project and fabric type can lead to snagged thread and ruined fabrics, so don’t overlook the importance of your embroidery […]

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Deadlines Approaching: Nominate a Member to the Gold Thread Awards and Apply for the Penny Evans Memorial Scholarship

The deadlines to submit nominations for the Gold Thread Awards and applications for the Penny Evans Memorial Scholarship are rapidly approaching. Interested needleworkers should visit our Scholarships & Awards page for more information on rules for submission. Applicants have until May 1, 2025, to submit to both programs. Keep reading to learn more about The […]

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Register Today: Virtual Lecture on Artificial Intelligence (AI) In the Embroidery Community with Anne Marie Oliver

Registration for our next virtual lecture Artificial Intelligence (AI) In the Embroidery Community with Anne Marie Oliver is open to EGA members through April 17, 2025 1PM Eastern. Not an EGA member yet? This is the perfect time to join one of our chapters or as a member at-large and participate in all the educational […]

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Embroidery Techniques from Around the World: Battenberg Lace

Technique: Battenberg Lace Place of Origin: New York, United States of America Earliest known date: 1890s History: Battenberg lace, also referred to as Royal Battenberg lace, first appeared in the late 19th century during a period of rapid evolution for lace-making. Industrialization and new needlework innovations drove the creation of Battenberg lace, which offered lacemakers […]

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Register Today: Swirling Tulips with Gail Stafford

Registration is open for our Online Studio class Swirling Tulips with Gail Stafford! Stylized tulips and Florentine embroidery (Bargello) combine to create this design. Notice how your eyes naturally follow a path of circular motion as you view the needlework. The design is shown in a blue-green and and blue color combination, but participants may […]

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April 2025 Stitch-a-long: Silk Ribbon Embroidered Needlecase

For our April 2025 stitch-a-long on Facebook we are working on a Silk Ribbon Embroidered Needlecase project by EGA member Karen Matze. Here’s more about the designer from stitch-a-long admin Stephanie Murphy: “Karen Matze is a mixed media textile artist located in Northeast Wisconsin and member of our Green Bay Area Chapter. She loves to […]

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