Today, I’m plugging the EGA… as in the Embroiderers’ Guild of America.
Read on – you’ll find information about the EGA, some great free resources, and other enticing bits!
Above, you can see the logo of the EGA, embroidered in crewel wool by Judy Jeroy. This particular image is used with permission from the Philadelphia chapter website.
The EGA, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of the art of embroidery, began in 1958, in New York. It was originally a branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild of London, and lasted as such until 1970, when it withdrew and established itself as the Embroiderers’ Guild of America.
There are 13 regions of the EGA in the US and Canada, with over 290 chapters, including cyberchapters, and a membership of over 9,500. Considering there are over 20,000 subscribed readers on Needle ‘n Thread, I figure there are lots of stitchers out there who aren’t members of the EGA, and who maybe don’t even know about it!
So, here are some random highlights about the EGA.
The Benefits of Being a Member
It’s definitely worth being a member, if you’re interested in embroidery. Through the EGA, you can hone your embroidery skills, you can meet other people interested in needlework, and you can enjoy the sociability of being a groupie!
There are different types of memberships, depending on your situation. You can be a member of a particular chapter, if you live near enough one to drive. I’ve been told that this is a pleasant thing, because you have meetings and it provides a social foundation. I don’t belong to a particular chapter. I’m a different type of member, because I don’t have a chapter nearby.
If you’re like me, you can be a Member at Large, where you have the benefits of belonging to the EGA (you can attend workshops and seminars, you receive the quarterly magazine, you can access the membership part of the site, and you can participate in correspondence courses with qualified instructors.
Or, you can join one of the cyber chapters of the EGA. These include Cyberstitchers and Rocky Mountain Web Stitchers.
I think most members will agree that the greatest advantage of membership is building connections with other people who are passionate about stitching.
If you’re not a member yet, why not put it on your Christmas list?
A Gorgeous Correspondence Class Opportunity
Remember this most excellent stumpwork embroidery class that I reviewed last week? I’ve gotten a ton of feedback from people who have signed up and Just Love It.
Well, Celeste Chalasani teaches for the EGA and is now offering an Individual Correspondence Course in stumpwork, for those who really want to go in-depth with individual guidance. It’s a 6 – 9 month course. And the project is gorgeous.
(Another thing to put on your Christmas list?)
Online Resource from the EGA
For members and non-members alike, there are some good resources on the EGA website.
One of my favorites? You’ll find this handy dandy needlework glossary as a downloadable PDF on the EGA website. It’s great for reference!
Another one – the Permanent Collection Database. It’s fun to browse through!
Free Projects & Articles
Why not embroider a really pretty holly before Christmas? And not just any holly, but one that’s reversible? That’s right – two sided embroidery! Think of it as a seasonal challenge. You can find the free project under Needle Arts Magazine on the EGA website. Just scroll own to Free Articles.
There are two freebies to stitch – Holly, by Tanja Berlin, and Pining to Stitch: The Biscornu, by Denise Pratt.
You’ll also find some good reading there, too – designer profiles and the like.
So, even if you’re not a member of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (yet), you can still take advantage of, and enjoy, many good resources from them.
I hope you do!
As co-President of the Princeton Chapter, I agree with this assessment! It’s a great way to make new friends as well as improve your stitching skills and take local trips to collections and events relating to embroidery. See our chapter blog and if you’re local to central NJ come join us! http://princetonega.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for the article about EGA. I have been a member since 1979 and love the organization. I still learn every time I attend a meeting or seminar. It is wonderful to get together with people who have the same interests.
THANK YOU. I am a member of the Dayton, Ohio and the Cincinnati Chapters. Unfortunately, the membership is small but we continue to attempt to bring our love of needlework to the community. We appreciate all you do on your site and use your information/articles so very often in our teaching sessions.
Thanks Again!!!
Ann
Hi Mary,
Saw your blog this morning. I’m an EGA Dogwood Chapter member and serve as publicity chairman for our chapter, so thank you very much for the support. I’m the EGA Dogwood Chapter FB administrator and would love to share your article on our FB Page. We’re at Embroiderer’s Guild of America-EGA-Dogwood Chapter on Facebook or follow the link at: https://www.facebook.com/Embroiderers-Guild-of-America-EGA-Dogwood-Chapter-911803458927197/?ref=bookmarks
Thanks for sharing, I’m looking into becoming a member of EGA now. Is it an immediate acceptance of membership?
Creativiu,
It does not take long at all! Go here and look up your local chapter and go to a meeting. They’d Will explain everything when you are there. https://www.egausa.org/index.php/membership/chapter-directory
If you love needlework, you will be right at home!
I am in the MidAtlantic Region, Susquehanna Chapter that covers the Harrisburg, PA area. We are lucky enough to have two other chapters not far from us.
Dear Mary
It’s good to know what happens with other Embroidery guilds across the world. I do like the two sided Holly which I’ve just downloaded for future reference, great instructions. Thanks for the information on the EGA and for the links to the free Holly pattern and instructions.
I do hope your operation went well and that you will recover really quickly and be back with us soon. I wish you well and take care.
Regards Anita Simmance
I am glad you posted this! I am a member of the EGA Susquehanna chapter. We get to do many wonderful projects and I love reading you blog! I have referenced you on many occasions.
Hi Mary. I have been an EGA member since 1992. I have been Membership Chairperson for many years. I love EGA and would tell anyone who wants to learn, share needlework, have a lot of new friends who love needlework, take interesting classes then join EGA. You will love it as much as I do. Theresa
Thank you for this great article on an organization that I’ve belonged to and loved for 35 years. I’m a charter member of my chapter and it’s been a horizon expander. I have enjoyed friendship, classes, volunteer opportunities, and educational opportunities.
I love your site which I have only just recently found, you are an inspiration. Here’s wishing you all the best in the upcoming months and I hope everything runs an smoothly as possible and a full recovery is around the corner.
Hello
I’d like to buy a Needle Index Book (I’m in Australia), and was wondering if it is still available and how much. I can’t find an email address for Valley Quail Chapter Walnut Creek. Can you help me or give me some idea where I can purchase one?
Kind regards
Yvonne Bannon