Our nation is celebrating its semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – in 2026.
The NER Education Committee invites all members to participate in this historic celebration by stitching a piece that represents what this significant anniversary means to you. It could be a patriotic or historical design, something in red/white/blue, a quote, a sampler that is meaningful to you, a family tree – it’s up to you!
We will have a special exhibit of finished pieces at the 2027 Region Seminar, followed by a “video parade” to share with other regions.
The NER EGA America 250 Stitch-a-Long guidelines are simple:
Stitch any needlework project in your choice of technique, materials, and size.
Select a new project or complete a work-in-progress.
Create an original design, or choose a commercial design, commercial adaptation, class project, or “freebie” design.
Stitch on your own, incorporate into your chapter meetings, or form an informal group (in-person or virtual).
Contact Deb Damrell with any questions about the NER America 250 Stitch-a-Long.
On February 6th and 7th, 2026, join the NER at any of the following Stich-In-Public events!
The primary focus of stitching-in-public is to share our love of needle arts by demonstrating our talents with non-members and those who might be interested in joining us.
These events are open to the public. We encourage you to attend an event near you to meet new friends and learn about hand embroidery.
Learn how a teenage desire for “something to wear to the dance” became a lifelong search for and ultimate discovery of the ancient roots of Romanian traditional embroidery.
Kate will describe her lifelong search for Romanian embroidery techniques, and her recent trip to Transylvania to learn them in person. This is an ancient art, and it is currently enjoying a major revival in Romania.
EGA celebrates needle arts with a Stitch-In-Public Day each February!
The primary focus of stitching-in-public is to share our love of needle arts by demonstrating our talents with non-members and those who might be interested in joining us. Gather members of your chapter, stitching friends and any others interested and host a Stitch-In-Public day at a local book store, coffee shop, library, museum or other location.
Although the official Stitch-in-Public Day is Saturday February 7, select any date that works for your group (and when the weather might be more cooperative!).
Welcome to 2026! We’re kicking off the year with exciting events, new opportunities, and plenty of reasons to gather and stitch together.
February brings our beloved Stitch-In-Public Day—a perfect chance to share your passion for embroidery with your community and welcome curious newcomers to the craft. With Regional Seminar 2027 on the horizon and engaging programs throughout the year, there’s never been a better time to be part of NER!
If you missed our December newsletter due to delivery issues, you can read it in full on our website here. In the future, all of our newsletters can be found on our News page, right underneath the latest news. We’ve resolved the technical problems and all future newsletters should reach your inbox without issues!
Thank you for being part of our vibrant stitching community. Here’s to a year filled with creativity, connection, and countless stitches!
Happy stitching, The NER Board
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stitch-In-Public Day
EGA celebrates needle arts with a Stitch-In-Public Day each February! The primary focus is sharing our love of needle arts by demonstrating our talents with non-members and those who might be interested in joining us. Gather your chapter, stitching friends, and anyone else interested to host a Stitch-In-Public event at a local bookstore, coffee shop, library, museum, or other location.
Although the official Stitch-in-Public Day is Saturday, February 7th, you can select any date that works for your group (and when the weather might be more cooperative!). Be sure to email photos to admin@ner-ega.org for the NER website!
Stitch-In-Public Events on February 6th
– VERMONT –
Leo & Company 21 Essex Way, Suite 418 Essex, VT 05452 Time: 9 AM Hosted by Green Mountain Stitch-In-Public Events on February 7th
– MAINE – Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe 166 Admiral Fitch Ave Brunswick, ME Time: 9 AM – 11 AM Hosted by SoME
Paul J. Schumpf Art Center 93 Main St Waterville, ME Time: 10 AM – 2 PM Hosted by SoME
– NEW HAMPSHIRE – East Kingston Public Library 47 Maplevale Rd East Kingston, NH Time: 10 AM – 12:30 PM Hosted by SoME
Mark your calendars for the New England Region’s 2026 Region Day! This will be a virtual event on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10 AM, featuring guest speakers, stitching, and more. Watch for additional details coming soon!
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!
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.
Mark your calendars! The New England Region’s 2027 Seminar will be held at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Burlington in South Burlington, Vermont on 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 region. More details about classes, registration, and programming will be posted on our website. To see only information related to this event, check out our new Seminar Central page!
Date: May 14-16, 2027 Location: Delta Hotels by Marriott Burlington, 1117 Williston Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403
We’re now accepting class proposals for our 2027 Region Seminar! We’re seeking engaging courses across all skill levels—2-day intensive workshops, 1-day classes, and half-day sessions. The teaching fee is $450 per day, plus travel expenses.
We’re planning an innovative seminar that emphasizes creativity and innovation in embroidery. We welcome both project-based and non-project-based classes on techniques, history, or other areas of interest.
ATTENTION! The submission deadline has been extended to February 15, 2026! Submit your proposal via Google Form or email Kate Thomas.
Vicki Brown of the Southern Maine Chapter is making headlines—literally! A local newspaper featured Vicki as she prepared to host the National Stitch-In-Public Day event at East Kingston Public Library on February 7th.
Vicki’s enthusiasm for embroidery shines through as she welcomes stitchers of all levels to discover the calm, creativity, and connection that hand embroidery offers. From teaching basic stitches to providing complete embroidery kits for beginners, Vicki is helping introduce a new generation to the fiber arts we all love.
Thank you, Vicki, for representing NER and spreading the joy of stitching throughout New England!
REMINDERS
Newsletter Submissions Due by the 20th
Want your chapter news, events, or announcements included in next month’s newsletter? Submit via our Google Form by the 20th of the month. Website updates are posted every Tuesday and Thursday, so get your information in early to ensure maximum visibility across all our communication channels!
The Connecticut River Valley Chapter (CRVC) organized another successful display, which was viewable through November 2025 in the main branch of the Granby Public Library.
The theme was Favorite Techniques. Sure, we enjoy learning new things, but we all have a favorite (or two) that we return to again and again, be it canvas work, blackwork, Japanese, surface embroidery, ribbon, beading, or cross-stitch. This display allowed our members to celebrate their personal favorites.
Nametag – Designed by Jane Nicholas, stitched by Lisa Green“Finding Time,” a blank pages book – Designed by Catherine Jordan, stitched by Linda BerryCeltic Birds & Mackintosh Rose Bookmarks, Textile Heritage Celtic Kits, stitched by Nancy A. NeffNew England Region Embroidery Display“Chinese Vase,” Mary Hickmott’s New Stitches Magazine, stitched by Kathryn J Lord
We also held a meet & greet — a mini stitch-in! During the event, we worked on our WIPs and distributed free patterns and mini kits containing an assortment of fibers and supplies.
Mark your calendars! The New England Region is thrilled to announce that our 2027 Region Seminar will be held at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Burlington in South Burlington, Vermont on May 14-16th, 2027.
This is your chance to immerse yourself in days of learning, stitching, and connecting with fellow embroidery enthusiasts from across the region.
More details about classes, registration, and programming will be announced as we get closer to the event.
Event Details:
Date: May 14-16, 2027 Location: Delta Hotels by Marriott Burlington, 1117 Williston Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403
We’ll see you in Vermont!
Educators: We Want to Hear From You!
We’re now accepting class proposals for Seminar 2027! We’re looking for engaging courses across all skill levels. Click here to learn more!
