What's Going On

Event:Embroideries of Colonial Boston: Domestic Embroideries
Date(s):September 17, 2011 - June 3, 2012
Location:Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Description:The embroideries of colonial Boston girls and women have long been treasured family possessions and are now much sought after by collectors. The charm and craftsmanship of the Adam and Eve samplers, pastoral pictures with leaping stags and galloping hunters, as well as crewelwork bed hangings and delicately embroidered baby caps bring to mind a warm domesticity; however, as a group they also reveal much about the lives of Boston women and their role within colonial society. This is the third in a series of three exhibitions that focuses on the embroideries of colonial Boston and features embroidered furnishing textiles and fashionable accessories. The exhibition examines how Boston’s women and young ladies utilized the needlework skills they learned in their classes to decorate their homes and keep up with fashion.
Contact:www.mfa.org
Event:In Stitches, Unraveling Their Stories - Sampler Exhibit at the Chester County Historical Society
Date(s):December 2, 2011 - September 7, 2012
Location:Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA
Description:Enjoy this rare opportunity to see more than 150 samplers and other girlhood embroideries from two major collections - Westtown School and the Chester County Historical Society. Objects on display range in date from 1760 to 1839 and include marking and darning samplers; Quaker extract and medallion samplers; genealogies and family records; and 12 embroidered globes - both terrestrial and celestial - unique to Westtown School. Also on display are embroidered pinballs and needlecases, needlepoint wallets and marked linen sheets and pillowcases. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday. Guided group tours may be arranged by contacting Ellen Endslow, Curator and Director of Collections (610.692.4800 ext. 257).
Contact:For more information: Call 610.692.4800 or email CCHS@ChesterCoHistorical.org
Event:Fabric of a New Nation: American Needlework and Textiles, 1776 - 1840
Date(s):December 16, 2011 - May 13, 2012
Location:The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60603
Description:Featuring over 45 bedcovers, coverlets, needlework, printed handkerchiefs and other household textiles from the permanent collection of the Department of Textiles, this exhibition explores the evolution of an American textile tradition as home creation, cottage industry and commercial production developed between the years 1776 and 1840. While some needlework and textiles during this period were born out of necessity, others evoke refinement and sophistication, reflecting the overall growth, ingenuity and prosperity of a new nation.
Contact:For more information, see Fabric of a New Nation
Event:Their Manners Pleasing and Their Education Complete: Newport Samplers 1728 - 1836
Date(s):December 19, 2011 - February 26, 2012
Location:Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House, 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI
Description:The Sampler exhibit displayed at the 2011 Newport Antiques Show will hang in the Baptist Meeting House at the Resource and Education Center of the Newport Historical Society until February 26, 2012. Hours are Monday through Friday 10 am to 2 pm.
Contact:For more information, see Newport Historical Society
Event:"A Gathering of Embroiderers"
Date(s):February 15, 2012 - February 26, 2012
Location:Williamsburg, Virginia
Description:The 21st year of 'A Gathering of Embroiderers' presents stitching events for all level of embroiderers. The Williamsburg Hospitality House in Williamsburg, Virginia is our home, away from home, all classes and lectures are held in this one hotel. The hotel has under ground parking, an excellent restaurant, and only three blocks from Colonial Williamsburg, great shops and lots of places to enjoy a meal. "A Gathering of Embroiderers" is a non-profit event designed to give the more advanced stitcher the opportunity to study in a relaxed setting ,exchange ideas, and our love of needlework. Any level stitcher is welcome to come and expand their knowledge of the many techniques offered. We have provided many donations to museums all over the country. Go to 'About Us' to see what has been accomplished in the past twenty years. The Gathering ,with Jeannine offers guest teachers that are among the very best in the needlework world and will offer many projects, including their own designs and 17th and 18th century reproductions. A Boutique, Book store and more is provided, offering items not found in your needlework shops. A stitcher's retreat is also among the many offerings. This allows you to work on your own projects and still enjoy the companionship , meet with friends, make new friends. In the evening, a well lighted stitching room is provided for all the attendees to come together and stitch and chat and share what they are doing.
Contact:A Gathering of Embroiderers
Event:Raised Work Embroidery: Class with tutors Lynn Hulse and Nicola Jarvis
Date(s):February 24, 2012 - February 25, 2012
Location:University of Oxford Education Centre, Oxford, UK
Description:Raised work (known today as stump work) was popular in England during the middle decades of the 17th century. Explore the development of this intricate technique through a range of core stitches, including padding, wrapping and making ‘slips’, to create a small historic design. Particular reference will be made to the raised work pictures in the Ashmolean collection. Beginners welcome. £175/£165 concessions (inc. materials), booking essential, places limited to 12.
Contact:Oxford University Website
Event:"This work of mine will a long time last": Needlework and Textiles of the Shenandoah Valley
Date(s):March 14, 2012 - March 17, 2012
Location:Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, 2177 Green Valley Lane, Mt. Crawford, Virginia
Description:For the first time, MESDA's biennial Textile Seminar goes "On the Road" in 2012, bringing this event to the colorful and culturally rich Valley of Virginia. Speakers will discuss the decorative arts, material culture, and textile heritage of the Shenandoah Valley. Seminar participants will have the opportunity to visit and examine major public and private collections of textiles, quilts, coverlets and samplers from the Shenandoah Valley. Presenters and collections include: Lisa Minardi, Jeffrey S. Evans, Mary H. Robare, Beverley A. Evans, Anna Marie Witmer, Kathleen Staples, Jenny and David Powers, the Virginia Quilt Museum, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society and Fort Harrison. The registration deadline is March 7, 2012.
Contact:2012 MESDA Textile Seminar
Event:Classes with Ellen Chester of With My Needle
Date(s):April 14, 2012 - April 15, 2012
Location:Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild, Wilmington, DE
Description:A Needleworkers Sampler Huswife and Long May She Wave.
Contact:DVHSG@yahoo.com
Event:Beating Around the Bush: International Needlework Convention
Date(s):April 14, 2012 - April 20, 2012
Location:Immanuel College, South Australia
Description:Beating Around the Bush has certainly grown from its original country roots! Margie Bauer, founder of Country Bumpkin, had a dream of bringing the world's best embroidery and smocking tutors together with eager students to share in a week long event celebrating the art of needlecraft. That dream was realized with the inception of Beating Around the Bush which is now considered to be the premiere needlework convention in Australia. The 2012 Beating Around the Bush will be held on the fabulous campus facilities of Immanuel College, Novar Gardens, not too far from the lovely beach side suburb of Glenelg. In addition to an amazing selection of classes, we have lots of new activities planned including a fun and interactive Embroidery Challenge and Quiz Night, a sumptuous Gala Dinner, Country Bumpkin Open House Tours, Competitions and the 2012 Beating Around the Bush Stitchers Village Fair.
Contact:Beating Around the Bush Catalog
Event:Scotland/Ireland Embroidery Heritage Tour hosted by Glory Meyer and Eileen Bennett
Date(s):April 30, 2012 - May 10, 2012
Location:Scotland/Ireland
Description:The 3rd Annual Embroidery Heritage Tour goes to Scotland and Ireland this year. We will have 'archive' looks at samplers in both countries and Naomi Tarrant, who joined our tour last year to Ireland, is writing a new book on Scottish Samplers and will give a talk to our group while in Scotland this year.
Contact:For more information, please contact Eileen Bennett of The Sampler House.
Event:Inn Stitches Spring Fling
Date(s):May 15, 2012 - May 17, 2012
Location:Canton, OH
Description:Since this is our FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SPRING FLING we thought it would be fun to bring your UFO class pieces from the previous years to work on as a group. Some of you have pieces completed from the past years so please bring those for show and share. If you don't have the class kits or don't want to work on them, that's okay too, bring whatever you'd like to work on. Those of you that attended the first Fling will remember that Merry Pretorius taught a beaded bracelet class. Merry has graciously offered to do another class that will be on making the very popular eyelash scarf with beaded accessories. Since we've had Ellen Chester of With My Needle to teach three times with another scheduled for next year, I'll be doing a hornbook class in her honor. The hornbook will have choices of borders and sayings and while we stitch, I'll give you some insight to life as a woman of colonial life.
Contact:trennerneedleworks@yahoo.com or InnStitchesShop@yahoo.com
Event:Symposium: Boston Craft and the Art of Embroidery in Colonial Boston
Date(s):May 18, 2012
Location:Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Description:Embroidery played an important and varied role in colonial society. As a practical skill it was used to embellish clothing and household textiles, while schoolgirl samplers, pictures, and coats of arms became symbols of wealth and status. Knowledge of embroidery also provided women with a means to earn a living by teaching, selling supplies, and drawing embroidery patterns. This symposium will explore many aspects of embroidery in colonial Boston: its relationship to the other crafts, its important place in establishing gentility, its role in education, and, of course, its many forms. Featured speakers include Edward S. Cooke, Jr., Yale University; Lynn Tinley, Emory University; Pamela Parmal, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Jennifer Swope, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and Gerald Ward, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Remis Auditorium, 10:30-5:00. Free with the admission to the Museum. This symposium is generously sponsored by the Ann and John Clarkeson Lecture and Publication Fund for Textiles and Costume.
Contact:For reserved seats, please RSVP to Diana Zlatanovski
Event:Classes with Ellen Chester of With My Needle
Date(s):May 18, 2012 - May 19, 2012
Location:Inn Stitches Spring Fling, Canton, OH
Description:Premier of A Lady's Worke Box.
Contact:Trenner Needleworks
Event:Classes with Ellen Chester of With My Needle
Date(s):July 5, 2012 - July 6, 2012
Location:Stitcher's Hideaway, Sturbridge, MA
Description:Fruit of the Vine Sampler/Huswif.
Contact:Visit Stitcher's Hideaway Website or email Stitcher's Hideaway.