Long May She Wave
designed by Ellen Chester of "With My Needle"
Registration: 10/1 - 10/31/26
Date: May 22, 2027 (Saturday)
Location: Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (MVUUF)
10715 Zenith Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431
Kit Fees: $74.00
Time: Gather at 9:00 am, Class at 9:30 am – 4:30pm, trunk show following
Please bring your own lunch. There will be two breaks – AM and PM
Please bring your usual stitching supplies
You are welcome to join us for dinner if you would like
Project Description:
The cover of this diminutive needlecase features the American flag with each stripe done in a different stitch. You will be able to choose between stitching a flag with 13 stars in a circle like the Betsy Ross flag or the current flag with 50 stars.
The needlecase opens to reveal a small flag pinkeep and linen needlepage on one side and an embroidered pocket for "treasures" on the other side. The pocket design features a young lady proudly holding the American flag and with her faithful dog by her side. The back cover has a label with a patriotic flag and a place for your initials. Beautiful silk satin ribbons embellish the case which is lined in a luscious red dupioni silk fabric.
Stitches Used:
Backstitch, Belgian cross, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion, double-sided Italian, encroaching slanted gobelin, horizontal elongated tied cross, long-armed cross, Montenegrin, mosaic, nun's stitch, rice, satin, small plait, Smyrna cross, Smyrna cross variation, tent, and tied half Rhodes.
Kit Contents:
In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 32-count linen, silk embroidery threads, hand-dyed silk ribbons, dupioni silk, mother of pearl beads for closure and decoration, Skirtex interfacing, a needle, and a bone threadwinder.
From a junior high needlepoint piece to a thriving design business, Ellen Chester’s stitching journey spans several decades. After graduating from Florida State University, a move to Charleston, South Carolina, inspired her to tackle a massive crewel kit, followed by an introduction to stamped cross-stitch back in Florida. In 1976, she transitioned to counted cross-stitch and experienced a true "awakening" when she discovered the beauty of stitching on linen.
A train ride from Hamburg to Amsterdam during a 1999 European needlework tour with mentor Edna Medlin of Threads of Gold inspired her to launch With My Needle. Named after a classic sampler verse, the business features historic reproductions and original needlework treasures. Ellen stitched every model herself to guarantee exact chart accuracy and showcase a rich variety of specialty stitches.
Committed to the crafting community, Ellen co-founded the Queen City Sampler Guild in 1995, and published a free global newsletter for 17 years. She began teaching needlework in 2004 thanks to the encouragement of Rae Iverson of Moss Creek Designs. To see the stunning number of Ellen’s designs, visit her website at www.withmyneedle.com and her blog at www.withmyneedle-ellen.blogspot.com
