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 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!
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.
How some of Cissy’s students personalized their castles.
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!
Autumn Thread Keep by Cissy Bailey SmithAutumn Thread Keep by Cissy Bailey Smith
And don’t forget that Cissy is also teaching her Sampler Stories Huswif on Saturday March 14. Details are in the registration form.
Sampler Stories Huswif by Cissy Bailey SmithSampler Stories Huswif by Cissy Bailey SmithSampler Stories Huswif by Cissy Bailey Smith
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.
Barn Owl by Holly Bean.Poseidon Seas Bracelet by Holly Bean.
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 Getaway, click here.
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.
“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.
The Southern Maine Chapter (SOME) is pleased to offer “Sherry for Jack”, a series of four surface embroidery Zoom classes taught by Hazel Blomkamp, beginning on January 7th, 2026.The design is as featured in Hazel’s book, Crewel Intentions.
The Piece
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced TECHNIQUE(S): Surface Embroidery SIZE: 8 1/8” x 4 ¾”
The Details
This16-hour class will be presented in four, four-hour sessions, beginning on January 7th, 2026.
LOCATION: ZOOM (Attend from home!) DATES: Every Wednesday in January (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th), 2026 TIME: 9 AM – 1 PM, EST. REGISTER BY: OCTOBER 15th, 2025
TOOLS & MATERIALS
Participants will need a copy of Hazel Blomkamp’s book, Crewel Intentions. If the book isn’t available at your library, you can purchase one from Hazel for $16.00 by checking the box in the registration form. The book contains 7 patterns with valuable embroidery instruction that will help you stitch other pieces.
TECHNIQUES
This project includes and iterates on the basic embroidery stitches, making it a great class for stitchers seeking both familiarity and challenge. In addition to practicing old favorites, participants will learn a wide range of intermediate embroidery techniques including:
Couching & Trellis Couching
Whipped Backstitch
Padded Buttonhole Stitch
Coral Stitch
Raised Herringbone
Padded Satin Stitch
Bead Embroidery
The Instructor
Hazel Blomkamp has dabbled with all the needlecrafts since childhood. When her children were babies she developed a passion for embroidery to break the tedium of life with toddlers, using it as her evening reward for having got through the day with her sanity intact. her children are now young adults and she still embroiders in front of the television every night. She has been designing for the past 18 years. Preferring to design projects which appear to be traditional, she pushes the boundaries by introducing other forms of needlecraft into traditional techniques, exploring further in everything that she does. Along with designing, she runs a busy website from home. She teaches at her home studio, in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, and travels throughout South Africa and to Australia teaching embroidery and fine beadwork. She is a regular contributor to South African and Australian embroidery magazines and is a columnist for South African Stitches Magazine.
Dates: January 31 & March 7, 2026 Instructor: Toni Gerdes Format: In-person at Thistle Needleworks in Weathersfield, CT and Zoom (hybrid class) Registration Deadline: November 24, 2025
Meet Zelda!
Get ready to fall in love with Zelda – an exuberant patchwork zebra whose colorful stripes and flirtatious “false” eyelashes will steal your heart! This whimsical design combines a stunning jewel-tone palette with sophisticated stitching techniques to create a truly captivating piece.
What Makes Zelda Special
Dazzling Materials:
Rainbow Gallery metallics for shimmer and shine
Luxurious Caron threads
Silky Straw Silk fibers
Planet Earth specialty threads
Beautiful beads for added texture and sparkle
Sophisticated Techniques:
Classic favorite stitches alongside exciting new surprises
White-on-white diagonal background pattern that enhances Zelda’s personality
Advanced color and texture combinations
Design Elements:
Multi-colored stripes that showcase various thread types
Playful “false” eyelashes that give Zelda her flirty charm
Jewel-tone palette that makes this zebra absolutely exquisite
Workshop Details
This two-session workshop allows plenty of time to master the various techniques and fully develop Zelda’s personality. Whether you join us in person at the beautiful Thistle Needleworks shop or participate via Zoom, you’ll receive expert instruction and support throughout the creative process.
The background’s white-on-white diagonal pattern provides the perfect foundation to make Zelda’s vibrant colors pop while adding sophisticated visual interest to the overall design.
Registration Information
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate Kit Fee: $175
Questions about materials or techniques? Reach out to organizer Linda Berry for more details.
Venue and booking information can be found below, in the Accommodations section.
Registration Fees:
SOME Chapter Members: $299 New England Region Members: $324 All Others: $349
Includes
Meet & Greet
Studio Time
Mini Merch Mart
Friday Finishing Class*
Saturday Classes*
Saturday Lunch & Dinner
Sunday Classes*
Sunday Lunch
*Class attendance is included, but kits must be purchased separately during registration.
Class Options
Choose your weekend experience:
Friday evening class (open to all registrants)
One 1-day class + Studio Time
Two 1-day classes (Saturday + Sunday)
Friday Evening
Autumn Thread Keep (Finishing Class)
This lovely thread keep, based on an antique pattern, is designed to hold five spools of sewing thread.
INSTRUCTOR: Cissy Bailey Smith SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Beginner TECHNIQUE(S): Counted Thread, Finishing. KIT COST: $60 PREWORK: The linen components must be embroidered and attached at home, so they are prepared for the finishing class.
KIT INCLUDES:
Linen (40-count)
Au Ver A Soie 100.3 (5 Spools)
Accentuate
Comic Board
Lining Fabric
Ribbon
STUDENTS MUST BRING:
Embroidery Scissors
Needles
Saturday
Sampler Stories Huswif
Create a beautiful huswif featuring motifs from Scottish and English samplers. Measures 8″ wide and 4″ high!
INSTRUCTOR: Cissy Bailey Smith SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate TECHNIQUE(S): Counted Thread, Finishing. KIT COST: $95 LINEN OPTIONS: 32ct, 35ct, or 40ct
KIT INCLUDES:
Linen
Instruction Guide w/Chart
Needle Point, Inc. Silks (11 Half-Skeins)
Gloriana Silks (4 Yards)
Accentuate (2 Yards)
Au Ber A Soie 100.3 (1 Spool)
Silk Ribbon
STUDENTS MUST BRING:
Embroidery Scissors
Needles
Barn Owl Necklace/Wall Hanging
Learn how to create layered bead embroidery and beaded spiral ribbon fringe! Can be worn as a necklace or modified into a wall hanging.
Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch Special rate: $129/night (available Thursday-Sunday)
All rooms include Keurig coffee maker, microwave, mini-fridge, and free Wi-Fi! Pet-friendly rooms are available (limit to 2 pets, max). Parking is complimentary. Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant.
