Stitch-Ins

May 27

Trends and Fads in Beadwork: A Presentation by Diane Fitzgerald

Take a walk down the memory lane of beadwork over the last three hundred years in Europe and America and see how styles have waxed and waned as beads cycled in popularity. Even in the current cycle over the last 20 years, there are trends that have come and almost gone.

Diane Fitzgerald is the author of several books on beadwork. Her newest book, Zulu Inspired Beadwork, features never-before documented stitches, Zulu beadwork history and lots of color images. Diane will bring her books for sale and will autograph her books.

June 24
August 26
October 28

A Violet Welcome by Carol P.

Carol P. is teaching her latest self-published Hardanger design, A Violet Welcome. Over three stitch-in meetings, she will use a sample swatch to teach the special stitches and techniques needed to complete the piece as designed.

In June, you will learn how to stitch a Kloster that can be cut on both sides, and how to stitch the buttonhole border with loops. In August, you will learn the openwork stitch for the large violet as well as the multi-colored openwork violet. In October, you will learn the filling stitches of the violet leaves, and how to finish the piece. At the end of the three sessions you will have a bookmark or a small bell pull from the sample swatch.

Individual Copy of A Violet Welcome, available from your local stitching store, and class kit required to attend class. (As always members are welcome to come and work on their own projects.) Contact NGM to order the class kit. Order deadline is June 10, 2008.

Class Kit, $5.00, includes the following:
Additional chart with saying, “If SISTERS/FRIENDS were flowers, I’d pick you!”
Chart for class sample piece, with additional band designs
Fabric for class sample piece
Thread needed for class sample, plus additional thread needed for bell pull (#8 green and light purple, #12 green and yellow)

Supplies needed:
Tapestry needles – size 24 and size 26 (or 28)
Hardanger embroidery scissors (sharp)
Embroidery hoop – 2” or 3” for sample, 5” for bell pull
You may want to bring your stitching magnifier and/or portable light

Optional Project Materials (this is the materials list for the official project in A Violet Welcome):
28-count, white Milan linen, 9" x 25"
1 ball #8 white Anchor thread
1 ball each #12 Anchor thread: white, light purple, and dark purple
Bell pull hardware (1 pair 18 cm)

July 22
November 25

A Stitcher’s Heart Needle Case by Charland Designs

Jillann L. will be leading us on this really cool needle case. Charland Designs has started a line of wonderful three-dimensional kits. Your stitching will be done on 27 ct Linda, with rose and berry colors of hand-dyed Silk ‘n Colors threads and accented with Rhodes hearts of size 10 pearl cotton. The stitched area is approximately 5” x 5½”.

A full finishing kit is included – pretty lining fabrics, organza ribbons, batting and all the pre-cut heart shaped board pieces. All the boards are covered with fabrics, bands are added and then assembled together either by hand (stitched) or with glue (not provided) to form the Pop-Up Heart Sewing Case.

In July, you’ll have a chance to see the finished model. Jillann will also cover the specialty stitches, plus tips and techniques for the stitched section. In November, finishing techniques will be covered.

A Stitcher’s Heart Needle Case retails for $45. The kit is available at your local needlework store or members may order with NGM and receive a 15% discount because of a bulk order placed through Stitchville USA. Order deadline is June 25, 2008.

Ongoing Program for Evening Stitch-In: Back to Basics

We continue to stitch Erica Michael's Alphabet series featuring specialty stitches and finishes for a nice reference book. I'll bring the patterns and a stitched sample each month or you can download the free cross-stitch patterns from Rainbow Gallery's website, www.rainbowgallery.com. As a special quarterly bonus, everyone who completes any of the months for that quarter will be entered into a drawing. Up to 3 chances per person to win!

May - Q is for Queen (Queen stitch of course).

Last Updated: Tuesday June 17, 2008

Day 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.	Evening 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
NGM meetings are held at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church unless otherwise noted. Click here for directions!
If registration is necessary (noted in the description) just e-mail me with your request.

May 27	Angie from Angie’s Hats Angie will be giving a presentation on hats. She has been featured in the Star Tribune and local magazines. Angie’s presentation will include a brief history on hats, hat blocking, straw and felt hats, sizing hats, and embellishing hats. Please join us to meet this up and coming hat designer.
June 24	Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Lee P. Lee P. has designed two different original Silk Ribbon Embroideries that she will be teaching. (Hope you got a chance to see them at the May meeting). Deadline for signup is June 10, 2008. The designs will be drawn on the fabric. Each design is $5.00 and can be paid to Lee at the meeting, but pre-registration is necessary. You will need various colors of 4mm and 7mm ribbons depending on the design you select. If you interested in the project but unable to attend the meeting please contact NGM for the supply list. Both designs will require you to bring a 4-inch embroidery hoop and size 18-22 chenille needles.
July 22	Stitch In Please bring in your current project and stitch and chat with us.
August 26 & September 23	1858 Minnesota Stamp, Canvas by Denise Did you know Minnesota is celebrating their Sesquicentennial Anniversary into Statehood this year? Are you interested in learning a lot of different canvas stitches? If you are, this is the class for you! Marlene D. will lead us in August and September with a fun sampler of stitches on the "MN State" canvas. The canvas is on 18 mesh, finished size is 4-½” x 4-½”. Cost of canvas is $40.00, stitch guide is $7.00, and thread pack is $19.50. You will need size 8” x 8” stretcher bars (a frame weight is helpful), and your usual stitching tools. Please contact NGM for registration. Deadline to order canvas is July 31, 2008. Hope to see you in August and September as we commemorate our 150th Anniversary into Statehood!