46th Annual Needlework Exhibition

It’s that time of year again! Nellie’s Needlers, a volunteer auxiliary of Woodlawn Plantation, is hosting its 46th annual needlework exhibit.

This premiere exhibition of contemporary needlework will be held at Woodlawn Plantation in Alexandria, VA March 1-31, 2009. Exhibition hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Limited historic tours of Woodlawn will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily. Admissions for adults is $10, students $5, and children under 5 are free.

An especially enjoyable part of visiting the exhibit is dining in the Underwood Room. Lunch and desserts are served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The menu is freshly created and served by members of Nellie’s Needlers and other volunteers. Income from the luncheon is used to help support this historic site. For groups of 8 or more, advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 703-780-4000 Ext. 26329.

In addition to enjoying the exhibit and lunch, visitors will want to stop by The Museum Shop selling unique finished needlework, samplers and kits. There will also by demonstrations throughout the month by local teachers, needle artists, and shop owners.

For exhibition information, call Woodlawn at 703-780-4000. Entries must be the work of a living person and stitched with a hand-held threaded needle. Acceptable techniques include beadwork, canvaswork, counted thread, cross stitch, embroidery, fine hand sewing, needle-made lace, samplers, smocking, miniature, and quilted accessories.

Mail-in entries must be received between January 16th and February 11th. Hand-delivered entries are urged to preregister prior to February 10th. Walk-in entries will be accepted on February 14th and 15th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May 9th through May 17th, the Kenmore Stitchery Guild presents their 21st Biennial Needlework Exhibit.    Exhibit hours ar 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  there is a $5 admissions fee for adults and $4 for students.

All entries are must be made with a hand-held, threaded needle.  Items exhibited will include blackwork, crewel, cross stitch, hardanger needlace, needlepoint, quilting, pulled thread, smoking and surface embroidery.

Historic Kenmore was built in 1775 as the home of Colonel Fielding Lewis and his wife Betty, sister of George Washington.   This house now serves as a museum and is owned by the George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation which also operates George Washington’s Ferry Farm in Stafford County, Virginia.

In 1983 the Kenmore Stitchery Guild was established with the purpose of promoting interest in historic needlework through demonstrations, workshops, lectures, exhibits, and sales of hand-stitched items.  Funds raised are used to acquire and preserve historic textiles for the Kenmore collection.

Entries can be submitted by mail between April 15 and May 1 or delivered locally on May 1 or May 2nd.  Detailed entry information is available at Caroline’s Thread and Canvas 804-752-6902.

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Williamsburg, Virginia  and when you can combine it with viewing spectacular needlework exhibits, it’s all the better!  Currently the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Art Museum is featuring is American Schoolgirl Needlework:  Records of Virtue.  This is a wonderful exploration into the art of samplers.

There are two other exhibits showing at the recently opened addition to the Arts Museum.  One is Flowers, Birds, and Baskets:  Patterns in 19th Century Bedcoverings which features 19th century quilts.  The second is In Memorium:  Mourning Art in Early America featuring needleart used in relation to mourning.

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The 45th annual needlework exhibit will be taking place March 1-31, 2008.

 Woodlawn, a National Historic Landmark, located near Mount Vernon, in Alexandria, VA.

The specific location is at the Intersection of US Route 1 and VA Route 235 South– 3 miles from Mount Vernon and 10 miles south of Alexandria.

The exhibit is sponsored by Nelly’s Needlers, a volunteer auxiliary which works year -round to raise funds for the self-supporting, non-profit historic site.

Exhibition Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including weekends.  Limited historic tours are offered daily between 11:00 and 2:30.  Lunch is served daily in the Underwood Room and is freshly prepared and served by members of Nelly’s Needlers.

Throughout the month various needlework techniques will be highlighted by local teachers, shop owners, and needle artists.

“All entries must be the work of a living person, stitched with a hand-held needle and appropriately finished.”  This includes beadwork, canvaswork, counted thread, cross stitch, embroidery, fine hand sewing, miniature, needle-made lace, quilted accessories, sampler, and smoking.

This is wonderful exhibit.  If you have never been, allow plenty of time to admire the exhibit, browse the lawns and gift shop, and definitely take advantage of the tasty lunch.

Hey Stitchers, This is exactly a Virginia event, but if we like to stitch I bet we like to travel to needlework events.

This is the 6th annual WinterFelt Quilt and Craft Show held at Hilton, Columbia in Columbia, Maryland on Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 9 am to 4 pm.

In addition to quilt displays, the show has added “Threads to Creativity” Needlework Contest.  this is not a juried contest, but all items submitted must be in finished form.

WinterFest is a fund raiser, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Howard County’s Cold Weather Shelter.

Sounds like a fun Saturday!

For more information visit their website at http://www.locustquiltandcraft.com/

Scotchtown, home of Patrick Henry, in Hanover County, Virginia is hosting a *Haunted History* event on Saturday, October 27 from 6 to 8 pm. 

This event will include tours and tales of this historic home, along with a history of Halloween and its traditions. 

Be prepared if some of these tales are of a *ghostly* nature, and perhaps there might be a *visit* from Patrick Henry himself. 

There is a special event fee of $5.00 per person

Scotchtown is located at 16120 Chiswell Lane (just off of Scotchtown Road), Beaverdam, VA, approximately 10 miles west of Ashland in western Hanover County.

For more information, call 804-227-3500

In honor of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown in 1607, the APVA of Virginia is presenting an exhibit featuring 4 centuries of women’s fashion.  This exhibit will be held at Bacon’s Castle which is the oldest surviving domestic structure in Virginia.

The exhibit is called Wives and Daughters:  Four Centuries of Women’s Fashion.  The costumes on display will represent the types of clothing worn by the women residing at Bacon’s Castle. 

The exhibit will run through late October.  Admission is free for members of the APVA.  For more information visit www.apva.org.