Our President called the meeting to order at 10 am. Any guests and visitors were welcomed.
Minutes - The minutes of the August Meeting were shared in the August Newsletter. Having no corrections or edits, they were accepted as they were provided via email to all members.
Treasurer’s Report was provided.
Programming was outlined:
- October - Annual Garage Sale - whatever you do not sell, you will be responsible to take back home
- November - Our meeting coincides with our Fall Retreat at Salty Yarns. Barbara Hudson of Queenstown Samplers will be our guest speaker. If you are in the area and wish to attend for the day, the fee will be $25 for Saturday which will include lunch. The dates are November 11 - 13, 2026
- December - Annual Holiday Luncheon and Gift Exchange
- January - Annual Review of the Designer of the Year - This January we will be reviewing the patriotic stitching that was our focus for 2026. Send your pictures to Susan now so she can start building the slide show for the meeting.
- February - Sharon Huffstetler of Thy Needle’s Worke will be teaching us a needle roll. Registration will be in the newsletter.
- March - Daniel Scheid. Collector of samplers will speak and will bring samplers for viewing
- April - Theresa B will design and Ruth U will teach us how to assemble a humbug
- May - There’s Venette of Shakespeare’s Peddler with share a sampler with us
- June - Ce Ce of The Thread Gatherer will give us a Red Thread discussion
- July - Jennifer Richardson, Bristol Sampler
- August - Claudia Dutcher
- September - Tentative
- October - Garage Sale
Designer of the Year - Please send your suggestions to Stacy for Designer of the Year for 2027. The designer should be one who does samplers.
Green Book - Continue to send a list of your finishes to Patrick to be logged into the book. Do not sent them one at a time and do not resend your list. Instead, maybe twice a year, you can send Patrick a list of your finishes that he will print and will enter into the book. Or, you can enter your finsihes in the book yourself at any in-person meeting.
Calendar - the 2027 Calendar will be uploaded to our Facebook page. You can find it under “files” on the FB page.
Canned Goods - Remember to bring non perishable food items to the church for their food drive.
Holiday Exchange - Away Stitchers - Sign up for Holiday Exchange will be shortly. Susan H. will be coordinating the away stitchers exchange. Watch your newsletter.
Nominating Committee - Contact Kelly E., Lynn D., or Linda D. if you are interesting taking on an office. This year we will elect Vice President and Treasurer.
Conservation - Marnie provided a brief update and stated that the Committee’s proposal will be submitted to the Board for a decision shortly.
Auction Items - Caitlin gave an update on the status of the auction items on Facebook. She will be moving to a newer format. She will be uploading an album with as many as 50 items at a time for “Buy it Now” on our FB page. At the current rate of sales if she were to continue with 5 or 6 items at a time, it would take her a decade - at least - to get through what we have for sale. We will keep you posted as things go forward.
The America’s Tapestry is currently on display Seton Hill, near Pittsburgh PA for a brief period. Check out their website for the most current schedule.
This meeting’s program - We were treated to a discussion and class by Jackie DuPlessis of It’s Fineally Finished. Jackie walked us through the variety of stitches used in Berlin work. Originally, Berlin work would have been stitched on Penelope cloth or canvas. 
It is a 100% durable cotton double weave mesh-like fabric used for advanced needlework or tapestry work. It has what is known as a dual mesh count and typically 10/20 count. Pairs of warp and weft threads are woven closely forming a wide, clearly visible, weave of alternating spaces.
It is a 100% durable cotton double weave mesh-like fabric used for advanced needlework or tapestry work. It has what is known as a dual mesh count and typically 10/20 count. Pairs of warp and weft threads are woven closely forming a wide, clearly visible, weave of alternating spaces.
Jackie walked through the most common stitches used outlining how to stitch each one. Follower her discussion those who signed up for her class broke into a group and received their kits and starting their lesson.
Such a beautiful collection of fibers and patterns.
Jackie recommended Isabella’s Beeton’s Book of Needlework as a great resurrect. First purlished in 1870, she covers the popular wool work stitches. Cross stitch, tent stitch, goblin, straight goblin, slanted goblein, leviathon, raised velvet stitch, long cross, slanted cross, Dmask stitch, repetitive stitch, plaited stitch, plush stitch, turkey work and flame stitch. Available on Amazon (of course)
Upcoming events -
Rehoboth Beach Needlework Expo, September 11 through November 1, 2026. Make plans to visit the exhibit.
Odessa History Foundation Sampler Display featuring samplers stitched by DVHSG members will run from October 25th to December 31st. Please see Odessa’s website for more details.
Floss and Flame Retreat - November 5 through 8, 2026 at Bally’s Casino, Dover Downs, Dover, DE. Please check out their website.
47 participated via zoom at today’s meeting
Next Stitch in - September 26th
Next Meeting - October 10th
