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 are October 7, 14, 21 at 7:00-8:00 Eastern time.
The “Mermaid Sewing Pouch” features counted thread techniques. The Pouch is two sided and stitched on a rectangle cut of 28 or 32 count linen. The techniques taught are: cross stitch over one and two threads, rice stitch, tied oblong cross stitch, French knots, straight stitch, diamond eyelets, nun’s stitch, and bead attachment. The finished design size is approximately 4” wide x 5.5” high per side (front and back)
Students will be stitching on a 10” wide by 18” high cut of 28 or 32 count linen. The teacher recommends stitching on a hoop or on Q-snaps (but students may work “in hand”).Embroidery scissors are required.
Light and magnification is optional but highly recommended. Also optional but recommended: an awl and/or laying tool, a needle magnet or a pin cushion.
Information Sheet | Registration Form
Lecture with Ann Strite-Kurz
The Metropolitan Region’s next virtual lecture is with Ann Strite-Kurz who will be speaking about Creative uses for Blackwork on Canvas on Saturday June 28th, 2025 at 1:00 pm eastern.
This lecture will begin with a discussion of some traditional uses of blackwork on Congress cloth and show why traditional patterns are better on 24-count canvas. Then Ann will progress to some unconventional applications that include layered patterns with laid work both underneath and on top of the blackwork pattern, layered patterns using two values of one color and/or two weights of thread, patterns in two colors, patterns that are combined with canvas filling and patterns with strategic outlines that punctuate other elements.
Ann will also discuss the three methods of executing blackwork sequences and cite the advantages and shortcomings of each method. These styles are the backstitch method (commonly used on hardanger cloth or aida fabrics where traveling threads don’t show), reversible or double running method and the combination method of alternating back stitches and running stitches with double running side trips.
Some charted examples of her original patterns will be shown with their sequences to illustrate that patterns can use unconventional stitch lengths. Approaches to designing original patterns will also be included along with ways to avoid crooked outlines.
Topic: Ann Strite-Kurz Lecture
Time: Jun 28, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85219430961?pwd=sRPHZiHReZ89s4aaszaZYUGg7vV7OV.1
Meeting ID: 852 1943 0961
Passcode: 440869
Please contact Marietta Douglas at mlette_97@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns.
Marietta Douglas
Metropolitan Region Education Chair
