New England Region EGA Newsletter

Promote NER 2027 Seminar: Download Our Printable Materials

Help spread the word! We've created printable bookmarks and flyers you can share at your chapter meetings, post in your communities, and distribute to fellow stitchers.

These materials feature the seminar dates (May 13-16, 2027), location (Delta Hotel, South Burlington, VT), and a link to our Seminar Central page.

Download your materials here:

• Bookmark PDF
• Flyer PDF

Share them widely—the more people who know about seminar, the better!

What are you stitching for the NER America 250 Stitch-a-Long?  Have you selected one of the many new designs released this year in honor of our country’s semiquincentennial?  Are you designing an original piece?  Or have you pulled out a WIP and decided that “now is the time to finish this!”? 

What is the America 250 Stitch-a-Long? 

• Who: All EGA members in the New England Region are invited to participate
• What: Select any needlework project – either a new project or a work-in-progress - that represents America’s 250th anniversary to you. Any technique, any size, any source - original, commercial, adaptation, class project 
• When: Complete your project for display at the NER seminar in May 2027.

Contact Deb Damrell, Assistant Region Director/Education (ard@ner-ega.org) with any questions. 

Here are just a few tips and resources shared at recent PHD (projects half done) Stitch-Ins: 

• PC Stitch and Markup R-XP are just two programs that allow you to import a photo or picture and create a counted thread chart.
• Try Tiger Tape (available at quilt shops) and edge stitch sewing gauges (you wear these on your thumb - available on Etsy and Amazon) to keep your blanket stitches evenly spaced, without drawing lines on your fabric or fingernails!
• Print or copy a design onto Sulky® Stick 'n Stitch™ Printable Sheets, remove the backing, stick onto your fabric and stitch, then rinse away when finished! Works in standard ink-jet printers. 
• Did you know that the Crewel Work Company offers free monthly online events hosted by Phillippa Turnbull?
• Explores textile, their history, cultural significance, and environmental impact in Selvedge, a print magazine and website featuring textile makers and their stories. 

You never know what we’ll be talking about and sharing!  Join the next PHD Stitch-In (Zoom links are on the PHD Stitch-In page of the NER website) to see what others are stitching, and learn all about the latest tips, techniques and resources: 

• Third Friday morning of each month from 10 AM to noon
• Fourth Sunday afternoon from 1:30 – 3:30 PM

Questions?  Contact Deb Damrell, Assistant Region Director/Education (ard@ner-ega.org). 

Would you like to connect with others stitching the same project?  Do you have questions about a project that you’d like to bounce off others stitching the same piece?  Help is available!   

Currently six NER members are stitching Natalia Frank’s Online Studio Class Victorian Slippers.  We meet weekly via Zoom to chat about progress, share tips, and ask questions about the project.  The group is finding these informal sessions very helpful to not only get our questions answered, but they are also an incentive to “keep on stitching” so that we can show our progress, and we enjoy some dedicated stitching time.

If you would like to get together with others stitching a specific project (EGA Online Studio Class or Virtual Education Course, an unfinished class or seminar project, GCC or other piece), contact Deb Damrell (ard@ner-ega.org). 

More helpful tips shared at recent PHD Stitch-Ins:

• Do you need to know the closest DMC color number to another DMC color? The Find the Closest DMC Thread Tool on https://lordlibidan.com/ is the tool for you!  Other Free Tools include Anchor and Kreinik color charts, best hair and skin tone colors, and DMC variegated threads and their corresponding colors. 
• More online tools and fiber and fabric calculators are available on https://www.thread-bare.com/ .
• Are you interested in cartonnage (fabric box making)? Check out https://www.colorwayarts.com/ . 
• For inspiration and finishing ideas, or to purchase a fun tote bag, take a look at the Florence Project Bags page on the Cascade Stitchers EGA website.

Do you have a favorite embroidery resource – either digital or analog?  What are you currently reading?  Do you have a book related to needlework that you would recommend?  Send links, titles and authors (and personal reviews!) to Deb Damrell (ard@ner-ega.org) to share in future NER newsletters.