Stitcher’s Celebration

By Threadbender, on January 29th, 2012%

Chain Stitchers chapter is one of thirteen chapters in the Sun Region of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. EGA’s regions support their member chapters with educational opportunities and

Special Events!

In 2012, the Sun Region is planning a relaxing weekend at the Bohemian Hotel Celebration for the weekend of May 18 through May 20. It starts at 4:00 p.m. on Friday and ends at 12 noon on Sunday. The affair costs $50 for the weekend but if you stay at the Bohemian Hotel Celebration it will be reduced to $25. It will be a weekend of stitching, relaxing, eating, shopping, eating, stitching, resting, stitching, eating, hanging out with old and new friends and fellow embroidery lovers, and eating, relaxing, and did I mention stitching! So mark your calendars May 18-20 in Celebration, FL. It is not necessary to stay at the Bohemian Hotel Celebration, there are other hotels in the area where you can stay. You don’t even have to stay in an area hotel. Just come and join us in Celebration, FL! This is a charity event also with Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida. So please save these dates open for the Sun Region Event!

For more information, including registration forms, please visit Stitcher’s Celebration

February Is… National Embroidery Month!

By Threadbender, on January 29th, 2012%

It’s official (although I’m not quite sure who or what made it official) — February is National Embroidery month, the time when threadbenders around the country take a moment to celebrate their passion. (We get extra moments this year.)

Embroidery is frequently a solitary activity or done in small groups (preferably where the lighting is really good). On February 4, 2012, members of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America have been urge to—

Stitch In Public

In past years, Chain Stitchers have gathering in libraries and art fairs to put their passion in the public eye. This year we’re going stealthy. Look for us inside malls, outside stores, in offices and on buses and not just on the 4th. We’ll be Stitching In Public throughout the month. (Personally, I’ve been called for jury duty and I’m bringing my sampler!)

October 2011 - Leesburg Library Showcase Exhibit

By Threadbender, on November 3rd, 2011%

The Leesburg Public Library has a lovely display window in its open-air foyer. For October, we filled it with samples of our embroidery.

Since it was in a display window, we could only photograph it through plate glass.

Ever notice how you don’t notice the glass when you’re standing in front of it, but in a photograph, that’s all you see?

Click to continue reading “October 2011 – Leesburg Library Showcase Exhibit”

The Leesburg Public Library has a lovely display window in its open-air foyer. For October, we filled it with samples of our embroidery.

Since it was in a display window, we could only photograph it through plate glass.

Ever notice how you don’t notice the glass when you’re standing in front of it, but in a photograph, that’s all you see?

Click to continue reading “October 2011 – Leesburg Library Showcase Exhibit”

Moonlight Sonata -- Our 2011 GCC

By Threadbender, on July 17th, 2011%

CaroleK has agreed to be the leader for our 2011 Group Correspondence Course. Students will meet once a month for five months in the clubhouse at CaroleK’s community. Contact her or Threadbender for directions. Class will be held from 9:30AM to 12Noon. A refrigerator is available for anyone who wants to bring their lunch and stitch until 1:30PM

Meeting will be held on

September 12, 2011
October 24, 2011
December 5, 2011
January 16, 2012
February 27, 2012

JenniferN will collect the pieces for teacher comment. Students wishing to have the teacher comment on their work should give it to JenniferN before March 15, 2012

February 2011 - Sue's Valentine Surprise: Bargello Heart

By Threadbender, on February 15th, 2011%

For our February meeting, SueB scoured the local dollar stores in search of heart-shaped boxes and then adapted a bargello flame pattern to fit the opening….

Stitch In Public -- 2011

By Threadbender, on February 9th, 2011%

We went to the Mt. Dora Art Festival with every intention of Stitching In Public, but the weather didn’t cooperate.

But we managed to get a few pictures before the rain came down…

Setting up for Stitching in Public at the Arts Festival

Who we are and what we do….

Our 2011 Hospice Opportunity — Santa’s Sleigh

Ornaments for Hospice

Tips and Tricks -- November 2010

By Threadbender, on February 5th, 2011%

Tips and Tricks

November’s program was “Tips and Tricks from the Board.” JenniferN took careful notes…

1. Our President LindaF gave us two tips:
A. How to thread metallic floss, Linda had handouts , however here is a video, the second tip on the video is how Linda showed us.. or this link is on paper really good

B. Linda’s second tip is starting by a vertical thread. You will have to scroll down on this link, but it shows you the vertical thread.

2. Our Treasurer CarolP gave us two techniques.
A. The first is when finishing a bag. She takes the super magnates and hides them in the lining of the flap and body of bag. But first she puts them in a lining that she stitching onto the inside of the lining of the bag. She cautioned not to glue them, as they will slip and you would have to take your lining apart to get them out.

B. Then she demonstrated Ruched Ribbon . I have attached a tutorial but it isn’t as good as Carol showing us. Here is a second tutorial:

3. Our Programs and new President ClaireN spoke about a mounting tape that she uses for finishing. She cautioned that you can’t move your project after attaching to this tape. She buys the tape at Michaels. It comes in ¼”, ⅜”, and 1 1/16″ widths. It is in the scrapbooking area . Here is the website: http://www.michaels.com/Terrifically-Tacky-Tape/gc0393,default,pd.html

4. Our Region Rep GeniD gave us two tips also.
A. Cording, her favorite tool and also about using a fishing weight for the center when cording. Here are instructions on how to use the cording machine: Here is one location to buy it from There are many others.

B. Her next tip was about counting in and down to start a project from a corner. Did you know that a dollar bill is just about 6″ long? (6.14″ by 2.61″ to be precise.) So if you plan on leaving 3″ for fabric around your project, you can fold a dollar bill in half and use it to measure your 3″ down and in.

5. Our fundraiser MargeH told us about how to use all those rubber jar openers. Take a quarter and outline it on the opener, cut out with some old scissors. Now you have a needle puller for when your needle is hard to pull out.

6. Our Secretary (that’s me) JenniferN gave a couple of ideas.
A. I use a Loran Chart Stand to keep my charts are eye level, so I’m not looking down, which hurts my neck. Here is a website so you can see it, but it can be bought many places.

B. My favorite Hardanger scissors are the serrated edge ones from Gingher. They are being discontinued, but Karen has a few left at A Stitcher’s Dream.

7. Our webmaster, LynnA showed us several of her favorites. I ‘m sure this is just a small sampling.
A. You know those band they put on your arm to take blood, she uses them as needle pullers.

B. You know the picks the dentist uses on you, she asks for the one they use on her. Uses them to pick out threads.

C. Lynn has a ruler with an O in the middle and it counts in both directions…great way to see how many inches you are from center for framing or whatever. You can find them here and elsewhere.

D. She has rubber rods, but pencils would also work. You wrap the ends of your thread around them , then stretch them apart. It takes the wrinkles out of the thread . You can find them here

E. (This is the one I really loved.) Take some of the magnet strips that you can cut and a piece of ribbon. Put a small length of the magnet on each end of the ribbon. Now you have a chart minder. You move it as you stitch.

I hope you have enjoyed this write up. Please see person who demonstrated for clarification.
JenniferN