Embroiderers' Guild of America

"Patchwork of Stitches"

"Patchwork of Stitches" Tree click image for enlarged view

Created by members of the Plum Grove Chapter
of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc., Iowa City, Iowa

This is the tenth year that the Plum Grove Chapter of the
Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA) has decorated a
tree for the Hoover Presidential Library-Museum holiday exhibit. The ornaments on our 2000 tree are based on quilt blocks and patchwork designs. All of the ornaments on the EGA tree have been hand crafted using a thread and needle and reflect the wide variety of interests and skills among the Plum Grove Chapter's members. You'll find stitchery of virtually every kind, some traditional and some contemporary.

Cross stitch is one of the most popular craft forms today and is well represented on the EGA tree. It appears on linen, other even weave fabrics like Aida cloth, and even perforated paper, a background material first introduced in the Victorian era but now experiencing a Renaissance of its own.

Several of our evening meetings this last year were devoted to teaching projects designed specifically for this "patchwork" tree. One was an original needlepoint design interpreting the traditional spool patch for canvaswork using a variety of threads and stitches. Another adapted the cathedral window technique to a small ornament. It's always fun to watch these projects evolve. Our members often chose their own color schemes and introduce new materials so in the end we have many variations within the basic designs.