Through the Needle’s Eye

The 22nd Through the Needle’s Eye Virtual Exhibit is available below! We needed two galleries to display all of the beautiful pieces. Use the buttons below to access one of the galleries. You will be able to move from one gallery to the other once you have entered one of them.

To make your viewing more enjoyable, you might want to print out the List of Entries from the link below. This will give you a list of all of the pieces that are included in the show, sorted by gallery, and will indicate all of the winners.

List of Entries | How to Navigate the Show | Quick Start Guide

You may also access some instructions for how to view the exhibit by clicking on the appropriate links above:

Quick Start Guide – a one-page document with some simple tips for better viewing.

How to Navigate the Show – a detailed manual to explain how to move around the exhibits and how to use the special features such as zooming in to see the details and reading the artist’s statements.

Remember that this show is open to the public in addition to EGA members. We hope you will enjoy the exhibit and will come back many times to view these outstanding examples of creativity and needlework!

Click the link below to sign up and be notified when more information becomes available.

EGA acknowledges the value of needlework in art and history. Our National Exhibit is a representative selection of the best in members’ artistic and technical works. It is through the needle’s eye that EGA embraces both traditional and contemporary needlework while expanding the perception of embroidery as an art form. Through the Needle’s Eye displays members’ original or adaptation needlework.

Original is defined as needlework from the beginning is solely the creative product of the stitcher. An Adaptation is needlework inspired by or based upon a source other than needlework and modified through significant change. Source(s) are to be documented.

For each piece you enter, you must include:

• • Title of piece
  • indication whether piece is an original or an adaptation
  • size : Height, width, and, if dimensional, 2 or 3-D, depth)
  • an artist statement (up to 1000 characters) reflecting your personal celebration of theme
  • one image of the entire piece (all photos will be considered for jurying and judging)
  • up to 4 additional images showing detail
  • if the piece is an adaptation, an image of the source inspiration
  • The images must be .jpgs and there is a maximum file size of 3 MB per image.
  • To maintain the anonymity of the artist during the jurying and judging process, the photos will be renamed upon upload.

If you have questions, please contact the Registrar Rebecca Wardlaw at TNERegistrar@egausa.org.

Through the Needle’s Eye is both a juried and judged exhibition—what does that mean? The jury process determines which entries will be accepted into the exhibit by ensuring that each submission meets the established requirements. For the 23rd exhibit, From Sea to Shining Sea, entries must have been created since the previous exhibition in Sept 2023; be an Original design or an Adaptation (as defined by EGA); be designed and stitched by an EGA member (you must be a member to submit an entry); include an artist statement explaining how the piece reflects the exhibit theme; Include clear photographic images during the designated entry period; and not have been accepted into a previous national exhibit.

The judging process will be conducted by 3 certified needlework judges independently and collaboratively reviewing the photographic images submitted. The scores will be tallied and reviewed by all the judges. Awards will be determined. The Diana Grossman Memorial Award and the Virginia Miller Contemporary Needlework Award are 2 awards offered by EGA for the Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit.

Diana Grossman Memorial Award: Given to an EGA member whose original work juried into the Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit best exemplifies excellence in design and needlework.

Virginia Miller Contemporary Needlework Award: Given to an EGA member whose original work juried into the Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit is judged to best display an innovative theme, materials, and method of working and promotes new and exciting uses of materials and embroidery techniques.

There will also be a Juror’s Choice award from each judge and recognition of a piece from each Region. Awards will also be given for the best of each Region and MALs.

EGA Definitions

Original is defined as needlework that from the beginning is solely the creative product of the stitcher. An Adaptation is needlework inspired by a source other than needlework and modified through significant change. Source(s) are to be documented.

The stitcher may use an image other than one’s own, but it will need to be significantly modified to be considered an adaptation. A simply embellished photograph that was taken by another person is not an adaptation. An exact replica of another piece of needlework is not considered an original or adaptation, even though the stitcher uses different threads or size of ground fabric. The design must be significantly changed to be considered an adaptation. This same criterion applies to needlework no matter how old the source.

A sample of the judges score card can be seen here.

Accepting Submissions: 10/01/2027 – 02/01/2028. The form will be available in January 2027.

Submit an online form, artist statement (required) related to each piece entered, digital photos of each piece for jurying and judging, payment for each piece.

Acceptance: 04/21/2028 – Notification of Accepted works.

Ship: 05/12/2028 – 05/20/2028 Ship pieces to EGA Headquarters for photography. MUST BE RECEIVED BY MAY 20, 2028.

Have you ever tried to take a photograph of your needlework, only to have shadows or glare ruin your shot? Even if you are not a professional photographer, there are a few easy tips that can help you take great photos using your cell phone or other camera. Read the article.

What is Through the Needle’s Eye? You’ve seen the logo, you’ve heard the initials (TNE), but what does it mean? The first EGA National Exhibit, held in New York City in 1962 just 3 years after EGA was incorporated, displayed a variety of pieces and offered demonstrations of embroidery techniques. The first eight National Exhibits were biennial events. From 1978 to 1995, five more exhibits were held. Starting with the 14th National Exhibit In 1995, these shows became travelling rather than stationary, and the name was changed to Through the Needle’s Eye (TNE). To date, EGA National has held 22 exhibits of work by its members. The 23rd Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit, which will open in September 2028, will showcase original works by EGA members or their original adaptations of other works. This exhibit will be available virtually as well as in person.

Download the exhibit announcement on the link below and let others know about Through the Needle’s Eye!

Coming soon!

Questions? Contact Sharon Serrano Ahmed at TNE@egausa.org.