April 2026 Update

Dear All,

Happy April! Despite the frequent showers that dim our skies this time of year, we can all look forward to the many May blossoms that are the cheerful product of every passing raincloud.

It is hard to believe that this is the final month of active work on the America's Tapestry project - what began as a few stitches has now evolved into over 20,000 hours of work on 13 gorgeous hand embroidered panels, encompassing over 1,000 volunteers from ages 3 to 98. I think you all will be astonished at the artistry and devotion within each and every stitch!

If you are joining us this month, please consider donating to our Crate History Campaign! We have raised $3,734 over the last four months! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We have raised more than we ever thought possible. By the start of May, we are hoping to reach $4,000!

Every donation will ensure that our volunteers' work is protected for years to come through the commission of a bespoke art crate to transport the panels on a 2+ year exhibition tour.

If you would like to support us, please share our GoFundMe Page with your community.

What's New?

In the Room Where it Happened! New York panel director Jenni Paperman paid a visit to the Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City, which is featured in the NY panel! See below:

News From the Road! Delaware Co-Director Amy Gilley traveled to Atlanta to meet with GA Director Robin Starnes. All stitchers greatly enjoyed seeing the Delaware panel in progress and were delighted to take a stitch. Thank you for visiting, Amy, and for sharing the Delaware Panel with the Dogwood EGA Chapter!

The Beauty of the Details The team from the Old Dominion State has been executing absolutely gorgeous embroidery on their state panel at the Muscarelle Museum of Art. Well done to director Catherine Theron and the entire VA team! We cannot wait to see the finished product.

Have A Look! South Carolina director Karen Wallach and her multi-talented team of embroiderers have crafted exquisite artistry on their panel. South Carolina's hero figure, 13-year old John McCord, features an array of materials and techniques that have created a gorgeous sense of depth and dimension.

How Fast The Time Flies! Just take a look at the New Hampshire panel and their astounding progress. Well done to state directors Carol Ganse, Michelle McPheron, and the entire Granite State team! Your work is absolutely phenomenal.

Tapestry Talk - Connecticut, Delaware, and New Hampshire

Have a look on our webpage to watch the interviews I conducted while visiting with our teams in Connecticut, Delaware, and New Hampshire. You will learn about the amazing artisans behind these panels, their personal connection to embroidery, and the importance of fiber arts as we celebrate our nation's milestone anniversary.

Click to watch the Connecticut Video!

Click to watch the Delaware video!

Click to watch the New Hampshire video!

Stitcher Spotlight: Meet Jill Johnson-Martin!

Jill Johnson-Martin is an embroiderer on the Virginia tapestry panel. A resident of Williamsburg, Virginia, she has been stitching since kindergarten.

Jill learned to embroider in school in Stockholm, Sweden, where the Swedes taught every boy and girl how to sew, weave, and do handwork. Prior to joining America's Tapestry, she practiced cross stitch and rug stitching, and worked on a variety of projects including pillows and household items. She also sewed clothes and curtains.

While working on the panel, Jill's best stitches are the satin on the grass areas and the long and short on the clouds. She has also learned one new stitch through the project: the railroad stitch. Jill's family originally settled in Virginia in the late 1600s, giving her a deep personal connection to the state's history.

She was inspired to share in a historic undertaking celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, and to work alongside such talented fellow stitchers. Since joining the project, Jill has learned about lead mining in Virginia and its role in supporting the Revolution.

Thank you for donating your time and talent, Jill!

P.S. - Want to be featured in our newsletter? Fill out our form!

If these photos leave you wondering how you can help our project, please consider donating by clicking the link here!

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please click here for instructions.

Don't forget - Liberty needs YOU!

Our Liberty doll series is still available. Proceeds from each sale go towards the completion of the America's Tapestry project. Each doll has been designed and crafted by hand by me.

Bring home your 250th anniversary commemorative doll today! Click here to learn more.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading and happy stitching,

Stefan Romero

Project Director