Scholarships & Awards

• A scholarship to take EGA Teacher Certification in the technique of your choice.
• Benefits teacher certification candidates in the EGA Teaching Certification Program seeking their first EGA certification.

Scholarship Information and Application

Due Date: Applications are accepted as soon as the candidate has completed the screening process

• For the study of surface embroidery, defined as crewel embroidery, Japanese embroidery, and stumpwork.
• Awarded by the Scholarship Review Committee

Scholarship Application

Due Date: March 1 of each year | Recipients notified by: April 1
2024 Scholarship Winner: Heather Keiko Long, Oatlands Chapter.

• For EGA members to study the art of embroidery and the preservation of the heritage of the art of embroidery
• Awarded by the Scholarship Review Committee

Scholarship Application

Due date: January 15 of each year | Recipients notified by March 15
2022 Scholarship Winner: Eileen Bennett, member at-large from Jenison, MI.

• Scholarship awarded to an EGA national seminar attendee for use at the next year’s National Seminar
• Awarded by the Board of Directors
• Award covers one four-day or two two-day classes in a canvas technique.
• Information is available at each National Seminar

2022 Scholarship Winner: Kelly Freeman from our Sarasota Chapter.

• For EGA members for an embroidery related class, study project, or similar education offering by EGA, The Royal School of Needlework, or the City and Guilds of London Institute, in the U.S. or the U.K.
• Awarded by the Scholarship Review Committee

Scholarship Application

Due date: May 1 of each year | Recipients notified by: June 1
2023 Scholarship Winner: Judy Cox from our Fort Worth Chapter in Texas

• Awarded to benefit students of crewel embroidery taking a crewel class at EGA’s National Seminar or an EGA region seminar.

Scholarship Application

Due Date: April 1 of each year | Recipients notified by May 1
2023 Scholarship Winners: Lynette Maton from our Dogwood Chapter and Rebecca Adams from our Foothills Chapter

• Applicants need not be members of EGA
• Awarded for in-depth research in all areas of embroidery and allied textile arts, and to create a basis for dialogue between EGA and other grant and research institutions.
• Grants of up to $1,000 are awarded annually.

Scholarship Application

Due Date: June 1 of each year | Recipient notified by September 1
2021 Scholarship Winner: Sydney Lokant

• Scholarships are not transferable to any other person.
• Scholarships may not be used for any purpose other than the stated purpose on the application.
• Any EGA member may apply without regard to gender, race, religion, national or ethnic origin.
• Applications are reviewed by the EGA Scholarship Committee in a blind process.
• The Committee reserves the right to withhold scholarships in any given year if there are no appropriate applications.
• A single individual may submit only one application per scholarship.
• A single individual may be awarded only one EGA Scholarship per year.

This annual award, established to honor a treasure of EGA, a longtime supporter and former national president, Barbara (Bobbie) Pilling, is presented to an EGA member who has “gone outside the box” with an original piece of needlework that shows personal growth and artistic merit. The accompanying statement should address both personal growth and artistic merit and explain how the stitcher thought “outside the box.”

Award information

 The deadline for digital entries for the 2023 Bobbie Pilling Memorial Award is May 1, 2024.

Send paperwork to judgecertification@egausa.org with Pilling Award in the subject line.

The annual awards recognize outstanding individuals who have given freely of their time and talents, and best exemplify EGA’s purpose. A total of 12 individuals may be acknowledged – one of each region, with a national recipient selected from among the region recipients and announced at our National Seminar.

Printable Nomination Form

Due Date: May 1 of each year

2023 Gold Thread Award Winners

Carolinas Region: Carole Overton, Aiken Stitchin’ Belles Chapter
Great Lakes Region: Kay Stanis, Fox Valley Chapter
Greater Pacific Region: Connie Butner, San Mateo Chapter
Heartland Region: Anne Hanson, Cedar Valley Chapter
Metropolitan Region: Cathryn Curia, Monmouth Chapter
Mid-Atlantic Region: Patty Smith Gardner, Philadelphia Chapter
New England Region: Sue Polumbo, Pioneer Valley Chapter
Pacific Southwest Region: Judie Neufeld, Bishop’s Peak Chapter
Sun Region: Stephanie Murphy, Indian River Chapter
Tennessee Valley Region: Vera Grimsley, Majestic Mountains Chapter

2023 National Gold Thread Award Winner: Vera Grimsley

2021 Winners | 2020 Winners | 2019 Winners | 2018 Winners

Golden Needle Awards is a judged and themed exhibit open to all forms of creative needlework, from EGA members at all levels of expertise—beginners to highly experienced.

• Scholarships are not transferable to any other person.
• Scholarships may not be used for any purpose other than the stated purpose on the application.
• Any EGA member may apply without regard to gender, race, religion, national or ethnic origin.
• Applications are reviewed by the EGA Scholarship Committee in a blind process.
• The Committee reserves the right to withhold scholarships in any given year if there are no appropriate applications.
• A single individual may submit only one application per scholarship.
• A single individual may be awarded only one EGA Scholarship per year.