April 2026 Meeting

We had a brief Business Meeting so we could get to today’s program.   New members were acknowledged.  Minutes of the prior meeting approved.  Treasurer’s Report provided.

Programs Updates.

The Spring Guild Retreat will be later this month at Salty Yarns in Berlin, MD.   It is always a good time with friends old and new.  Registration for the event has closed.  Make sure you sign up in time for the next retreat - Fall Retreat, November 13, 14 and 15, 2026.

Update on the Violets & Verses SAL.   For those who ordered the chart only, the charts have been mailed by Jennifer directly to the stitcher.   For those who ordered the kits, they will be mailed next week directly to each stitcher.   Thank you to Carol P who has created a SAL schedule for the piece.

Conservation - Conservation Chair, Marnie B, has sent out 19 applications for the 2026 conservation fund.  

Today’s Program

We welcomed Merry Susan Schreck of Prim Peacock Samplers to the meeting.   Merry Susan is well versed in all things Shaker.   One has to look for context of what was going on in the world, the who and the where.   So who were the Shakers.    They are a Christian Group - the United Society of Christian belief, founded in England in 1750.    One of their prinicples is a pledge of celebacy after joining the group which contributes to the fact that today there are only 3 remaining Shakers.   They only grow by converts and there is only one remaining active community.   At their peak, there were 20 communities with each having hundreds are members.

Founded by Ann Lee many were formerly Quakers and many were illiterate factory workers.   In 1774 Ann Lee has a vision to travel to the colonies.   She created an American movement.   There motto was “Hand to work, hearts to God”.  As a convert, you surrender all your possessions and property.  The community provided everything to the members.  Housing, food, clothing, jobs, community and worship.  Every member had a job that fit their skills and all lived and worked in a somewhat communal manner.  They were a pacifist group and believed in the equality of sexes and the races.  They were very progressive for the time and adapted to modern technology at every opportunity.   Often by their own inventions and refinements of existing technology.   They had indoor plumbing before the White House did.   They were also the first group to package seeds for farmers and gardens.  The reputation of te quality of their furniture still stands today.

The characteristics of a Shaker Sampler were beauty from simplicity.  Their main focus was marking samplers.  Samplers had minimal borders and orderly had motifs.  

In the 1850, with the decline of male members, the woman had to rethink how to fund the commodity.   They created Fancy Goods - Shaker sewing boxes were created.   If you purchased one, you had a lifetime Dartmouth on the icing and return it for replacement.   Shaker boxes today have no connection with the Shakers group itself but do replicate the style and workmanship.   

Poplarware was another craft the worked on and sold.   They were expert weavers and using for New England Poplar which is a very straight tree.    (I will insert later a photo of Poplarware)

Thank you Merry Susan for a lively, informative discussion!   

Here is a local possiblity for stitchers.   Tess’ Bake Shoppe in West Chester has a “craft night” the first Tuesday of each month.   If you live in the area, stop on by!

Next meeting:   May 9 in person and Zoom.  Guest speaker:   Theresa Venette of Shakespeare’s Peddler

32 were present in person

32 participated via zoom

March 2026 Meeting

 

For our March Meeting  we were treated to a Needlework Press Patriotic Project.    The kit was a pre-order.  However, we bought extra and they are still available.   (Pop a message on our Facebook page and someone will get back to you.)    Kits were mailed or handed out at the meeting.   The meeting was devoted to the assembly of the book and the stitching did not have to be completed prior the meeting.  Fabric, mat board, ribbon and the insert were provided.

But let me go back to  the cover ‘business’ first.   President Eve C welcomed all.  The normal reports were given, upcoming program schedule was reviewed and announcements.

Treasurer’s Report was given.  Balances available in the general fund was provided as well as the balances for each of the two conservation funds.

Upcoming programs - As a reminder, our “tentative” calendar for 2026 is posted under Files on our Facebook page.   “Tentative” because we all know things are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.

For April, we will welcome Merry Susan Shreck of Prim Peacock Samplers.   She will be talking on Shaker Samplers and Fancy Goods.

Spring Retreat - Our Spring Retreat will be at Salty Yarns April 17 - 19, 2026.   Effective with this retreat, there is a $50 non-refundable deposits.  Deadline for sign-ups is Saturday, March 21, 2026.

For May, Theresa Venette of Shakespeare’s Peddler will be our guest speaker.  

Fall Retreat - Our Fall Retreat will be at Salty Yarns the same weekend as our November Guild Meeting.   November 13th, 14th and 15th.  Barbara Hutson will join the meeting for a sampler presentation.   There will be a hybrid option for those not attending the retreat.

Other News:   We encourage members to bring non-perishable food items to the in-person meetings to add to the Church’s Food Bank.   Remote members, we encourage you to donate at your local food bank.

America’s Tapestry - Continued kudos to members Becky and Amy for their diligence on the Delaware’s America’s Tapestry.  They are working to meet the deadline of April 1st.

Chester County History Center will be hosting two classes in May.  The first class will be with Amy Mitten,via zoom. The second with Kathy Lesieur.  They will be May 13th and May 14th.   Registration has not yet opened.  

Thank you to Patrick for handling the distribution of her participation gifts tothose who logged their completed projects in the Guild’s Green Book.

Embroiderer’s Guild of America/EGA has a virtual lecture series.  Lectures are $5 for EGA members and $25 for non-members.  Check out their website at EGAUSA.org

Prizes were also awarded to those who shared their pieces in our Designer of the Year Showcase in January  

We are continuing our partnership with Floss and Flame in Dover, Delaware.   Member of the guild receive discounts on selected patterns.   Each month three patriotic patterns are featured on Floss and Flames website.   Scroll to the bottom of their website and use the DVHSG link.   The password is provided in your member newsletter.  Each month a small, medium and large chart anre chosen. You have the option to buy the pattern only or have it kitted.   Guild members receive a 15% statement on these and on in store purchases.

Don’t forget your secret stitcher.  Please let Susan H know if you have any issues or have moved.   Remember to post on the Facebook page a thank you and photos of gifts your receive.   If you do not have Facebook, forward pictures  to Susan and she will post on your behalf.   Since your Secret Stitcher is a “secret”, this is a way to send a Thank You as well as to let them know the package has been received..

DVHSG Merchandise - We are thinking of selling t-shirts, bags, etc. with the DVHSG logo.   This is still in the talking stage and we are asking for volunteers to research and manage this.

Auction - Many of you are away, we lost a long-time and original member of DVHSG last summer.   The family has generously donated many of her charts, kits and DVSHG projects for sale.  Their request is that all proceeds be dedicated to sampler conservations.   In order to open up sales to more than just  members who attend meetings to allow other stitchers the opportunity, we will start selling these on Facebook.  Our Facebook page stipulates ‘no sales’ allowed.  We are making an exception because all profits will benefit conservation.   In addition, since our group is open to sampler lovers and stitcher’s who are not guild members, we will have a broader pool of potential buyers and be able to get the best prices.   Many thanks to Caitlin B for coordinating this.

In our midst, The Old Man and the Bea was mentioning on Brenda and the Serial Stitcher's  flosstube.   This is the design company of member Susan H and her husband.

Floss and Flame is planning a weekend retreat in November.They are still working on the details for this first in-person retreat.   The date will be November 6 - 8.

Some of our Show and Tell for the day.

Next meeting - In person and Zoom - April 11, 2026   Merry Susan Schreck of Prim Peacock Samplers