Author: Tina

  • Needlework News: December 2025

    Needlework News: December 2025

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

    As we close out 2025, we want to thank each of you for being part of our vibrant stitching community. Whether you joined us at Region Day, participated in chapter events, or connected with fellow members online, your passion for embroidery makes NER special.

    We’re already looking ahead to an exciting 2026! With Regional Seminar 2027 planning underway, new events on the horizon, and continued efforts to make our programs more accessible and engaging, there’s so much to anticipate. We can’t wait to stitch, learn, and grow together in the year ahead.

    From all of us on the NER Board, we wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with creativity, rest, and maybe a little time at the hoop.

    Happy stitching!


    SAVE THE DATE: NER REGION SEMINAR 2027

    Mark your calendars! The New England Region is thrilled to announce that our 2027 Regional Seminar will be held at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Burlington in South Burlington, Vermont from May 14 – 16, 2027.

    This is your chance to immerse yourself in days of learning, stitching, and connecting with fellow embroidery enthusiasts from across the New England region!

    More details about classes, registration, and programming will be announced and posted to our new Seminar Central page as we get closer to the event.


    NER Regional Seminar 2027: Call for Proposals

    The New England Region of EGA is planning an innovative and exciting seminar to be held May 13-16, 2027 in Burlington, Vermont.

    We expect to have “star” local guest lecturers at our event, and to complement them we want to offer classes that will emphasize creativity and innovation in embroidery, as well as providing a pleasant stitching experience for attendees. We also welcome suggestions for “non-project-based” classes on techniques, history or other areas of group interest. Not everyone wants to go home with three unfinished projects.

    We hope you will consider submitting a suggestion for a class of this nature. We are planning to offer both one- and two-day classes. The teaching fee is $450 per day, plus travel expenses. Please let us know what you would be interested in offering by or soon after February 1, 2026. Click here to learn more and submit your proposal.

    Thank you for your consideration!

    Lisa Green
    Deb Milvae
    Kate Thomas
    Faculty Committee, NER Seminar 2027

    REGION DAY RECAP

    What a wonderful day! On November 1st, 2025, members from across the New England Region gathered for our annual Region Day, and it was everything we hoped for and more.

    The day featured excellent courses from Clara Warschauer and Kris Andrews that gave attendees the chance to explore new techniques and expand their skills. Whether you’re a longtime stitcher or relatively new to embroidery, there was something for everyone to take home and incorporate into their work.

    To see the full Region Day 2025 Recap, including more pictures, click here! If you’d like to submit some photos to be included, please email them to Tina at admin@ner-ega.org.


    UPCOMING EVENTS

    Reminder: SoME Spring Getaway

    Registration closes December 31, 2025!

    If you are looking for another opportunity for great projects with outstanding teachers, don’t forget about Southern Maine’s 4th Biennial SOME Spring Getaway, March 13-15 2026 in Auburn, Maine. 

    Reminder: “FALL DAZE” WITH CELESTE CHALASANI

    Registration closes February 9th, 2026!

    The Pioneer Valley Chapter (PVC) presents “Fall Daze,” an elegant stumpwork ornament workshop, held via Zoom, with Celeste Chalasani. This class is appropriate for all stitchers, including beginners!


    Show & Tell

    CREWEL PEACOCK Stitched BY Tere Foley (CRVC)

    Tere Foley of the Connecticut River Valley Chapter (CRVC) embroidered a blue peacock standing on a gentle hill, surrounded by greenery. The stitching, framing, and mat fit together beautifully. Click the image to enlarge it and see the detail up close!

    CELEBRATE HARVEST STITCHED BY CONNIE SMALL (SOME)

    Connie Small, SOME Chapter, finished this beautiful Celebrate Harvest cross stitch, designed by Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle & Thread.

    LAVENDER CYANOTYPE EMBROIDERY BY VICKI J. BROWN

    Vicki J. Brown (SOME) created her first mixed-media piece, Lavender Cyanotype Embroidery. “What started as an experiment became an incredibly joyful creative process, as I played with different stitches and added silk ribbon and new threads to my standard repertoire of DMC floss.”

    Click here to read more about Vicki’s experience and process!

    BRIDGE SUPPORT (AMERICA’S TAPESTRY) STITCHED BY TINA ALBERINO

    Up-close with the post.

    Tina Alberino (CRVC) stopped by Hartford Stitch to work on the Connecticut panel (America’s Tapestry) and completed a bridge support post. To see more photos and to learn how you can book time to stitch portions of the Connecticut panel, click here!


    Submit Your News

    If you would like us to add content to this newsletter (and to our website!), please submit the information here. We update this site every Tuesday and Thursday and are always happy to add content for our chapters!

    Help Get Your Chapter Online

    We need information from each chapter so we can build pages just for you. For examples, see the Connecticut River Valley page and the Southern Maine page.

    Whenever anything relating to your chapter is published to the NER website, it is tagged with your chapter’s name. In addition to appearing on our main pages (News, Events, Show & Tell), these tagged posts will automatically appear on your chapter page when they are posted.

    If you happen to have the time, please submit your chapter’s most recent information via this form. If you have any trouble with the form, you are welcome to email us the information. We will reach out to chapter leadership once the page is drafted to confirm everything is accurate and correct.

  • America’s Tapestry: Stitching Connecticut

    America’s Tapestry: Stitching Connecticut

    Tina Alberino (CRVC) stopped by Hartford Stitch to work on the Connecticut panel (America’s Tapestry) and completed a bridge support post.

    Any stitcher can participate in this community project celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Click here to visit the America’s Tapestry page on the Hartford Stitch website, where you can learn more and schedule time to lend your talents and your time to the Connecticut panel!

  • Lavender Cyanotype Embroidery by Vicki J. Brown

    Lavender Cyanotype Embroidery by Vicki J. Brown

    Vicki J. Brown (SOME) created her first mixed-media piece, Lavender Cyanotype Embroidery.

    “I took a weekend workshop with Katama Murray of Teach Peace Prints and created 14 different botanical fabric prints. She inspired us to stitch on or with them, so I started, tentatively, to embroider the lavender flowers. What started as an experiment became an incredibly joyful creative process, as I played with different stitches and added silk ribbon and new threads to my standard repertoire of DMC floss. The fabric wasn’t wide enough to stretch over a frame, so I sewed on a fabric border, and then splurged on a gorgeous Italian frame from Casco Bay Frames and Gallery in Portland, ME.”

  • “Celebrate Harvest” stitched by Connie Small

    “Celebrate Harvest” stitched by Connie Small

    Connie Small, SOME Chapter, finished this beautiful Celebrate Harvest cross stitch, designed by Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle & Thread.

  • “Crewel Peacock” stitched by Tere Foley

    “Crewel Peacock” stitched by Tere Foley

    Tere Foley of the Connecticut River Valley Chapter (CRVC) embroidered a blue peacock standing on a gentle hill, surrounded by greenery. The stitching, framing, and mat fit together beautifully.

  • Reminder: SoME Spring Getaway

    Reminder: SoME Spring Getaway

    Hello to all of you after a wonderful NER Region Day!  If you are looking for another opportunity for great projects with outstanding teachers, don’t forget about Southern Maine’s 4th Biennial SOME Spring Getaway, March 13-15 2026 in Auburn, Maine. 

    Registration closes on December 31, 2025! 

    Cissy Bailey Smith has returned to the US after a successful debut of her Scottish Castle Etui in the UK.  

    You are not limited to Cissy’s selection of silks – you may provide your own to customize your etui into the castle of your dreams in this one-day class on Sunday March 15.

    Update! 

    Cissy will also be offering her students a “Spring” adaptation of her Autumn Thread Keep, offering more options for you to choose from in this Friday March 13 finishing class!

    And don’t forget that Cissy is also teaching her Sampler Stories Huswif on Saturday March 14.  Details are in the registration form. 

    Holly Bean is offering her bead embroidered Barn Owl on Saturday March 14for those who want to try some bead embroidery on cork fabric.  This piece would be perfect for a wall hanging, book or box cover, or as finished as a necklace as shown. Holly is also teaching her Poseidon Seas Bracelet.

    Register now!

    With so many fun and exciting projects, two outstanding teachers, and optional Studio Time, the Southern Maine Chapter hopes you will join us for the 4th Biennial SOME Spring Getaway!

    For complete details of each class, information about accommodations, an event schedule and to register for the SOME Spring Getawayclick here

  • November 15th: Stitch-In at Granby Public Library

    November 15th: Stitch-In at Granby Public Library

    THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. This page is archived here for recordkeeping (and sentimental) purposes. Click here to see the event recap!


    Mark your calendars! The Connecticut River Valley Chapter is hosting a stitch-in at Granby Public Library on November 15th, and everyone is welcome.

    No registration required, no experience necessary.

    Whether you’re an experienced stitcher or just curious about embroidery, stop by to work on your projects, meet fellow fiber enthusiasts, and enjoy some relaxed, creative time together. Bring whatever you’re working on—or just bring yourself and your questions!

    Just show up ready to stitch and socialize. We’d love to see you there!

    SEE OUR DISPLAY!

    Stop by Granby Public Library to check out CRVC’s display showcasing members’ favorite techniques. It’s a great opportunity to see different styles and approaches to embroidery up close, get inspired for your own projects, and discover techniques you might want to try yourself!

    WHEN: November 15th, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
    WHERE: Granby Public Library | 15 N Granby Rd. Granby, CT 06035

    Questions? Contact event organizer, Kathryn Lord.

  • Region Day 2025: A Day of Stitching, Learning, and Community

    Region Day 2025: A Day of Stitching, Learning, and Community

    What a wonderful day! On November 1st, 2025, members from across the New England Region gathered for our annual Region Day, and it was everything we hoped for and more.

    The day featured excellent courses from Clara Warschauer and Kris Andrews that gave attendees the chance to explore new techniques and expand their skills. Whether you’re a longtime stitcher or relatively new to embroidery, there was something for everyone to take home and incorporate into their work.

    The venue itself was beautiful, and lunch was delicious (always a bonus at these events!). But more than anything, it was wonderful to spend time with fellow stitchers, share ideas, and celebrate our shared passion for embroidery.

    Clara Warschauer’s Green Frog Scissor Fob Class

    NER was Clara’s first stop on her 2025 International Teacher Tour in conjunction with EGA National Seminar in Dallas. Click here to see a clip of Clara’s class on Instagram.

    Clara’s frogs, along with the adorable Frogletieres from Ragged Coast Chocolates that Suzanne Bruno brought for the class to enjoy!

    Kris Andrews’ Butterfly Curio Box Class

    Kris taught her class all about the butterfly’s life cycle, along with surface stitching and stumpwork embroidery techniques in her Butterfly Curio Box class.

    America’s Tapestry

    One of the highlights was viewing the America’s Tapestry panels in person. Seeing these stunning pieces up close reminded us all why we love this craft—the artistry, the dedication, and the stories woven into every stitch.

    Many thanks to the following people for bringing and sharing information about the America’s Tapestry panels: 

    • Connecticut: Sue Polumbo
    • Massachusetts: Denise DeMore
    • New Hampshire: Carol Ganse and Michelle McPheron
    • Rhode Island: Hope Brans

    Shopping

    We also had a fantastic Stash Sale where chapters set up tables overflowing with books, patterns, and kits—perfect for anyone looking to add to their collection or discover something new. T.F. Woodcraft (Tanya Sanders) was on hand with beautiful slate frames and other heirloom-quality traditional tools, and it was wonderful to see members browsing, chatting, and finding treasures to take home.

    We also want to thank the following for providing us with an opportunity to shop during the day: 

    • Connecticut River Valley Chapter
    • Merrimack Valley Chapter
    • Pioneer Valley Chapter
    • Mayflower Sampler Guild (Denise DeMore, Anne Hart Davies and Irene Allie) 
    • T.F. Woodcraft (Tanya Sanders) 

    Thank You!

    Thank you to everyone who attended, taught, volunteered, and helped make the day such a success. We’re already looking forward to next year!

    If you have any pictures from Region Day, please email them to Tina at admin@ner-ega.org, and we’ll add them to this post!

  • “America’s Tapestry” in the Press!

    “America’s Tapestry” in the Press!

    We’re excited to see America’s Tapestry getting some wonderful press coverage! This remarkable project—13 hand-embroidered panels commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary—is capturing attention across the region and beyond.

    The Eagle Tribune recently highlighted that four New England panels (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) are going to be displayed at our Region Day event at the Doubletree by Hilton in Nashua on November 1st, giving visitors a chance to see the work in progress and even add their own stitches.

    William & Mary News featured an in-depth look at the project underway at the Muscarelle Museum of Art, where the Virginia panel is being stitched. The article introduces project founder Stefan Romero, who was inspired to create America’s Tapestry after visiting The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

    Needle ‘n Thread, Mary Corbet’s popular embroidery blog, called America’s Tapestry “a BIG project” and praised its impressive organization. Community News covered the New Jersey panel’s progress, including a public event at Princeton’s Updike Farmstead.

    The coverage highlights what makes the America’s Tapestry project so special: bringing together stitchers from across all thirteen original colonies to tell the often-overlooked stories of diverse individuals who contributed to our independence—from the Pine Tree Riot of 1772 in New Hampshire to the Coosuk Abenaki who helped Patriots defend the northern border (Eagle-Tribune).

    Want to learn more? Check out these articles and follow the project at americastapestry.com or on Instagram @250tapestry.

  • “Fall Daze” with Celeste Chalasani

    “Fall Daze” with Celeste Chalasani

    Registration closes February 9th, 2026!

    The Pioneer Valley Chapter (PVC) presents “Fall Daze,” an elegant stumpwork ornament workshop, held via Zoom, with Celeste Chalasani. This class is appropriate for all stitchers, including beginners!

    NOTICE: This class is only available only to NER members. If seats remain, registration will open to all members. Click here to learn more about joining!

    THE DETAILS

    LOCATION: ZOOM (Attend from home!)
    DATES: Saturday, April 11th, 2026
    TIME: 12 PM – 6:30 PM, EST. | 9 AM – 3:30 PM, PST.
    REGISTER BY: February 9th, 2026
    KIT COST: $50
    CLASS FEE: All teacher fees are covered for NER members from the National Seminar 2023 monies.

    “Celebrate autumn with this elegant Stumpwork ornament. Sun kissed acorns hold tightly to the mighty oak while golden leaves prepare to fall. Rust velvet ribbon tied festively into a bow tops it all.”
    – C. Chalasani

    Each student will receive written instructions along with their kit. If you require left-handed instructions, please note so on your registration form.

    Celeste will provide a Zoom link. If you are not capable of accessing Zoom, contact a friend and join them at their computer.

    The class will be recorded, and the video instructions will remain available online through July 31, 2026!

    KIT CONTENTS

    • Silk shantung
    • Cotton fabric
    • Stranded cotton thread
    • Beads
    • Felt
    • Needles
    • Finishing supplies

    SUPPLIES

    Along with their usual stitching supplies, students will also need: 

    • 6″ embroidery hoop
    • Scissors (for cutting fabric and felt)
    • Acid-free glue stick

    Magnification is highly recommended.

    TECHNIQUES

    • Padding with felt
    • Shading with long & short stitch
    • Surface embroidery stitches: Back Stitch, French Knot, Outline Stitch, Satin Stitch, Stem Stitch, and Split Stitch
    • Finishing

    PREWORK

    Students will transfer the design before class.

    THE INSTRUCTOR

    Celeste Chalasani is a graduate of the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) Teachers’ Certification Program specializing in Stumpwork. She has taught extensively both in person and virtually for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) at chapter workshops, regional and national seminars; for the National Academy of Needlearts; and for other regional guilds. She also teaches an online class for Craftsy.

    “Teaching Stumpwork is a labor of love for me. I am passionate about sharing what I know. I approach teaching from the understanding that different people learn in different ways. I strive to provide clear written instructions with step by step color photos, orally explain the technique with color coded visual aids, demonstrate stitches and techniques, and work one on one with each student as they practice their techniques.”

    – C. Chalasani

    Celeste holds a BS in Business Administration. She is a Life member of EGA and NAN, and a member of the National Embroidery Teachers Association.