August 2025 Update

Happy August, Everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying the final weeks of summertime. How strange it feels that autumn and the beautiful foliage that accompanies the changing season will soon be upon us! Be sure to soak up all the sun's rays while you still can.

As we approach the final stretch of summer, our talented stitchers across all 13 states continue their incredible work. Each panel grows more beautiful with every passing day, and the dedication of our community continues to inspire me. The collaborative spirit that defines America's Tapestry truly embodies the best of what our nation represents.

What's New?

All our 13 states have been actively engaged in the fabrication of each panel. Behind every beautiful stitch is a talented embroiderer and a meticulous stitching plan prepared by our fantastic state directors.

Pennsylvania directors Mary Van Tyne & Raven Fagelson explored many stitch designs to best reflect the artistry of the original illustration by artist Maggie Weng. Be sure to examine these images closely to check out all the beautiful techniques used in the different elements of their panel.

Did you Know? Each panel is 35" x 45", or 1,575 square inches. For every square inch of stitching, there is approximately one hour of work. Now that's a lot of hours!

From One Coordinator to Another

This past month I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Royal School of Needlework Scotland Stitch Social in Glasgow, where I had the pleasure of meeting Paula Reynolds, the coordinator of the Renfrewshire Tapestry. I even had the opportunity to do a little stitching! Many thanks to the Royal School of Needlework for the invitation and to Carol Ganse for the introduction!

A Collaboration at Virginia's Colonial Capital

We are extremely honored to be featured in William & Mary's July News, where they highlighted the Virginia Panel designed by Rachel Genito and directed by Catherine Theron of the EGA Rose & Thistle Chapter in Williamsburg.

This article holds special significance as the Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships at W&M was one of our first institutional partners. How wonderful it was to see images of the panel at the gorgeous Muscarelle Museum of Art worked on by the talented hands of stitchers and students alike. To read the full article, please click the link here.

"We're willing to teach," Theron said, "People come in with no experience. We have fabrics and threading materials to practice with. Stitching should be for everybody." - Excerpt from W&M article

In the Press

The Shaler Journal featured the Pennsylvania panel directed by Mary Van Tyne and Raven Fagelson at the Glenshaw Public Library. The article highlighted the incredible community engagement and the beautiful techniques being employed on their panel.  You can read the article here.

Fourth of July Needlework

North Carolina director Gail Smith stitched with Kim Meyers Robertson, President of the New Bern Women's Club, at Tryon Palace during the July 4th Celebration. Many thanks to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for inviting us to be part of this patriotic celebration!

It Takes a Village!

South Carolina director Karen Wallach has been busy with her embroidery team in Clover, SC! Check out their incredible work thus far. These slip stitched motifs are being carefully worked in embroidery hoops before being applied to the completed panel. Incredible work, ladies!

The Governor Takes a Stitch

Who says politics and embroidery can't coexist? Delaware directors Amy Gilley & Becky Gutin traveled with the Delaware panel to the State Fair, where they had a visit from Governor Matt Meyer & Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay who tried their hand at a few stitches. Thank you to both Governor Meyer & Lt. Governor Evans Gay for supporting our project!

Every Stitch for Every Branch

New Jersey Co-Director Carol Prevost places many careful stitches on an evergreen tree in the tapestry panel in Mt. Holly, NJ. Fabulous work, Carol!

Stitcher Spotlight: Meet Nancy Cook!

Nancy lives in Charlotte, NC and embroiders on the South Carolina tapestry panel. An active stitcher for over 50 years, Nancy primarily practices embroidery with metal threads, including the beautiful (and challenging!) practice of goldwork. This image is an incredible example of her accomplished skill in multimedia projects & raised embroidery. She first learned to embroider in the Brownies program and with the help of her grandmother.

She has used a variety of stitches on the South Carolina panel, including the chain, split, & buttonhole stitch. She joined our project out of friendship and a desire to support embroidery arts. While working on the tapestry, Nancy has learned more about the role of camp followers during the American Revolution. Thank you for contributing your time and talent, Nancy!

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

Stefan Romero

Project Director