America’s Tapestry
A Lecture by Stefan Romero
Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 1pm via Zoom
No Registration Required
Join us on Saturday, January 10 to learn more about America’s Tapestry and the prominent role needle art is playing in our nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. America’s Tapestry founder and director Stefan Romero will discuss the the inspiration and creation of this collaborative community embroidery project. From finding inspiration in the Scottish Borders to grassroots organizing in the United States, Stefan will trace the journey of this historic endeavor from concept to implementation. Stefan will discuss the designs of the New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut panels and the stories of those who are working on bringing these designs to life in needlework across the three states. To learn more about America’s Tapestry or to get involved, please visit americastapestry.com.
Stefan Romero Bio
Stefan Romero is an interdisciplinary costume designer, public historian, and textile artist. Fascinated by the intersection between archival inquiry and sartorial significance, Stefan is committed to telling American stories through textile-based sources. He is the founder and director of America’s Tapestry, a collaborative community embroidery project commemorating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. This ambitious initiative features thirteen embroidered panels representing each original colony, created in partnership with organizations across the East Coast. The project engages the public in the practice of embroidery while preserving our nation’s shared history through accessible arts programming.
Seeking to understand how garments and textiles can reveal the past and inform the present, Stefan pursued his undergraduate education at Carnegie Mellon University’s unique dual degree program, specializing in historic dress and costume design. As a recipient of a US-UK Fulbright Postgraduate Student Award, Stefan furthered his research at the University of Glasgow. Working internationally across the United Kingdom and United States, Stefan’s costume design work spans period and contemporary productions for both film and theatre.
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Reflections of Summer by Kurdy Biggs
An Intermediate Canvas Design
Registration Deadline Dec 15, 2025
Open to all EGA members
Come join me on a journey stitching a stained glass designed piece. Your canvas will be line drawn so that we can move easily from segment to segment as we stitch this piece that is inspired by Summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our stitch library will encompass over 40 different stitches that include: Walnettos, Jessicas, Crescents, Rhodes in a variety of combinations. Reflections of Summer is stitched with sumptuous selection of silk and metallic threads based around Waterlilies Prickly Pear. Once the stitching is completed beads and crystals will be added so that the finished piece sparkles like a day in the summer sun.
Students will be stitching on a 15” x 15” 18 count canvas.
Students are to supply their own Embroidery scissors [required].
A light and magnification are optional but highly recommended.
It is recommended to stitch on a hoop or Q-snaps (if you do not have either, it can still be done “in hand”)
Also, optional but recommended: an awl and/or laying tool, needle magnet or pin cushion.
The classes will be held Feb 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th, 2026 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm eastern. The kit fee is $180.00 plus $12.00 for shipping. The teaching fee is being paid by the Metropolitan Region EGA for region members. Non-region members will pay $55.00 for the per student teaching fee.
Region members total: $192.00
Non-region members total: $247.00
Download the Registration Form here.
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Stitching In Montvale 2026
Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2026
Registration Opens on January 1, 1026
Stitching in Montvale 2026
There is nothing better than stitching with friends, whether they are long-time friends or friends you just met! Bring your stitching and a friend (all guests are welcome) and stitch with fellow stitchers from the Metropolitan Region EGA. Our EGA President, Lea Peacock, will also be joining us for the weekend.
Stitching in Montvale 2026 will again be held at the Montvale Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 100 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, NJ, 07645, on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, 2026. Attendees will have the option of stitching in our Stitching Room on Saturday and/or Sunday. Attendees are not required to stay at the host hotel and will be able to take advantage of the many reasonable restaurants in the area. Those attendees wanting to stay at the host hotel will be provided with a link to book their hotel room.
Registration Information:
EGA members and guests are welcome to register for either one day (Saturday or Sunday) or both days in the Stitching Room. Registration opens January 1, 2026 and will close on March 25, 2026. The per-person registration fee is $50 for both days or $30 for one day. Please note that this fee is non-refundable. Payment can be made by either a check or electronically. Registration and payment information can be found on the registration form.
Hotel Information:
The Montvale Courtyard Marriott Hotel is less than a mile from the Garden State Parkway, exit #172 and about 3 minutes from the New York/New Jersey border, making this location very convenient for our Region members, regardless of where they live.
We will again be in the Hamilton/Burr Meeting Room located on the second floor of the hotel, at the top of the stairs from the hotel’s lobby. Elevators in the hotel will also be available.
No food will be allowed in the classrooms/stitching room, but the hotel does have a bistro/lounge area on the first floor in which you can bring in food for lunch or dinner. The bistro is open for breakfast from 6 am – 10 am on weekends.
Any lighting and/or magnification needed must be battery operated as no electrical cords are allowed. Also, pack a nametag in your stitching bag as none will be provided.
Sleeping Room Information:
We have made arrangements with the hotel for a contracted sleeping room rate of $199 per night (Friday, April 24 and/or Saturday, April 25) for either a single or double sleeping room, plus taxes. Attendees must make their own reservations. The link will be provided at a later date.
Please note that there is a drop-down list to select the nights. Sleeping room reservations must be made by March 25, 2026. The hotel also has several ADA compliant sleeping rooms. All sleeping rooms have in-room coffee service and a refrigerator. Free Wi-fi is also provided.
Dining Information:
For your dining pleasure there are many options available. Attached to the hotel is the Fire and Oak Restaurant that is open for dinner on weekends. Within minutes of the hotel are many other restaurants and casual dining including Wegman’s and Whole Foods. Further information will be provided at a later date.
“Shopping” Information:
As every stitcher knows, we love to shop. We will again have a table for those who want to bring gently used charts and/or stitching-related items that are no longer wanted but another stitcher might find useful. This is a free exchange.
We hope that you can stitch with us! Questions or concerns can be addressed to me at GrayceeDM@aol.com or 732-407-7646.
Janice Meyers
Metropolitan Region Events Chair
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Counted Canvas Special Interest Group
A Counted Canvas Specialty Group is being led by Marietta Douglas. Counted Canvas is a type of needlepoint that uses blank canvas and a charted design with instructions to guide the stitching. The group meets on the last Sunday of every month at 3pm via Zoom. For more information on this group, please contact Marietta Douglas at mlette_97@yahoo.com
The Counted Canvas group has decided to stitch a project together. They have chosen Teal-licious by Freda’s Fancy Stitches. Participants should get their own pattern and supplies, and then come stitch with the group.
If you are not interested in stitching this particular design, you are still welcome to attend the Counted Canvas Special Interest Group meetings. Just bring whatever counted canvas design you happen to be working on.
A Zoom link will be sent out each month prior to the meeting.