2025 Program Biographies
Fri, Feb 14 - Katherine Diuguid
Katherine is a studio artist specializing in hand embroidery, dressmaking, and textiles and has taught embroidery and textile workshops both nationally and internationally.” https://katherinediuguid.squarespace.com.
Thurs, Feb 20 - Erin Harvey Moody and Christine Gordon Baty of Relics in Situ
We research early modern needlework to learn about the lives of women and how they contributed to their world. Through lectures and hands-on workshops, we share this information with other historical professionals, needlework enthusiasts, and anyone else interested in culture and craft of the early modern period.
Watch our introductory video to get a taste for what we do.
https://www.relicsinsitu.com/
Fri, March 14- Pat Olski
Pat is a needlecraft professional, author, lecturer, and instructor. Her designs and articles, spanning an array of topics from traditional needlework techniques to current knitwear trends, have appeared in many books and magazines. Her new book titled Crafting Dorset Buttons is coming soon. Please visit Pat at www.YarnWhirled.com.
Thurs, Mar 20 - Lisa Binkley
Lisa Binkley holds a B.S. in Textiles & Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Formerly a public policy analyst, Lisa has worked as a studio fiber artist since 2000 and has been teaching since 2007. Her award-winning artwork has been selected for national and international exhibitions including those of the American Quilters’ Society, the International Quilt Association, Crafts National, CraftForms, Wisconsin Artists Biennia, and many others. Lisa and her artwork have been featured on local and national television, in international books and magazines, and in many local publications. Her art is represented in public, private, and corporate collections. Lisa enjoys sharing her passion for fiber art through her artwork, workshops, and lectures. She and her husband, illustrator Ed Binkley, have two young-adult children. Lisa and Ed live in the woods of Madison, Wisconsin with their big fluffy dog.
Sat, March 29 & Sat, April 12 - Andrea Sapon
I’m a long time Madison Area chapter member and enjoy many forms of stitching. My stitching journey started at the age of five learning Greek (counted thread) embroidery. Through the years I’ve done Crewel work, French hand sewing, cross stitch and more. I love fiber, fabric and color and enjoy sharing my creative efforts with others. In my previous life, I was a professional colorist, designing color for apparel and home products.
Fri, April 11 & Thurs, April 17 - Jennifer Horejsi
Jennifer has been a Madison Area Chapter Member for several years, is a multi-faceted textile artist, bibliophile, and just darned all-around creative! She is our website’s “Techno Wizard Extraordinaire.” When she’s not volunteering for our chapter, she’s reading and working in a local mystery book store. She enjoys family time and encourages her daughter to explore her own creative journey!
Fri, May 9 - Claire DeChristina
Claire DeChristina joined the Madison Area Chapter of the EGA in 1998 after a lifelong flirtation with sewing, stitching, and dye techniques. Her favorite stitching techniques vary from day to day, but include counted canvas, painted canvas, crewel and surface embroidery, pulled work, sashiko, and stitched shibori. She continues to pursue a fruitful relationship with goldwork, but hasn’t arrived there yet.
Thurs, May 15 - Laura Bak-Mahlkuch
Laura Bak-Mahlkuch’s love of handwork began when she was in kindergarten when her mother would stem stitch the outline of a design on Huck cloth and Laura would fill in the weaving. She has been a member of various Illinois chapters of EGA (Embroiderers’ Guild of America) and ANG (American Needleworkers Guild), since she was 12 years old. If there’s a craft out there, Laura is always willing to give it a go. 30 years ago she was introduced to the love of her life: Beading– bead embroidery and off-loom bead weaving. On most days, Laura can be found in her happy place, with a needle in her hand and a pile of beads on her board, doing what she loves best…one bead at a time.
Sat, May 17 - Katie Sarac
My husband and I live on a farm in rural Wisconsin, with 5 children ranging in age from 4 years old up to 18. Ever since I can remember I’ve always been artistic and creative. I’m happiest when I get to use my skills and create art and share with others! Recently I’ve entered the Challenge Bead contests and have taken second place, 2 consecutive years in a row. I’ve taught in-person Paintnites to classes as large as 60 people and larger-scale painting webinars for almost 5 years. I’ve also taught crafting classes where the craft changed monthly to include wreaths, gnomes, ornaments and more! I enjoy helping others create their own artwork and look forward to this opportunity to teach others how to create this beautiful beaded ornament.!
Fri, Jun 1 - Celeste Chalasani
Celeste Chalasani is an award-winning designer and teacher specializing in Stumpwork. She has taught extensively for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) at chapter workshops, regional and national seminars. She also teaches online classes for Craftsy.
Thurs, June 19 - Jen Tratnyek
Jen Tratnyek joined EGA in 2011, and is a co-chair of this year’s great program! Counted cross-stitch is her first love, but she enjoys many other techniques including canvas work, other counted techniques, surface embroidery and beading.
Fri, Sep 12 - Judy Caruso
Judy has been a member of the Madison Area chapter of EGA for eighteen years, serving most recently as 2024 President. She has taught Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery, surface embroidery and Hardanger at needlework shops, EGA local, regional and national events, and for the Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild for the past 14 years. For the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA), she has taught Brazilian Embroidery classes to individual chapters, national Online Studio Classes and at the 2022 Pacific Region Seminar.
Thurs, Sep 18, Fri, Sep 19, & Sat, Sep 20 - Wendy Moore
Wendy Moore brings her former passion in costume design and education to her career as a needlework designer/teacher, with a great interest in color theory, mathematical and perceptual puzzles. She has received the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) level II teachers’ certification in canvas embroidery.
Fri, Oct 10 - Laurie Sanford
Laurie Sanford, PT, will provide an overview of anatomy and discuss how our position and posture relates to our stitching. She will offer several easy reset postures to prevent or ease – if someone is experiencing symptoms – in the hands, arms, shoulders, neck or head.
Thurs, Oct 16 - Sara Stoltman
Sara Stoltman is a native of Madison and is the President of the Mad City Quilt Guild. She has been sewing for over 50 years. She has degrees in Special Education and Nursing. Her research on using breast milk on babies bottoms to prevent diaper rash was published just this month. Since retirement from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Sara started her own LLC, Thread Maven Stitching. She has entered her quilts and clothing items in several competitions and two pieces will be on display at TAC in November. Other fun facts about Sara include that she quilted three quilts this year for Jennifer Chiaverini for her 2026 Christmas book, she was a professional figure skater with Disney on Ice, she competed in ballroom dance, and is “Grammy” to two grandsons.
Choose EGA!
The mission of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America is to inspire passion for the needle arts through education and the celebration of its heritage.
The Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for stitchers of any experience level, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other background to develop their skills and express their creativity through the needle arts. EGA affirms its commitment to inclusion, diversity, equality, and accessibility (IDEA).
