2026 Program: When We Stitch Together
New to our program this year are quarterly stitch-in meetings. We share ideas, assist each other with stitching challenges, and build camaraderie especially with our newer members. Our program provides opportunities to expand our skills in a variety of stitching techniques, textile preservation, finishing and design. When we stitch together, we are more creative and build stronger connections with our fellow stitchers.
Click HERE for fillable 2026 registration form.
Peyote Stitch Scissor Fob
Fri, Oct 9
9am – 11am
Description: Madison chapter member Laura Bak-Mahlkuch will teach a beading project you can add to your implement stash – an elegant peyote stitch scissor fob and point protector.
Kit contains: beads, needle and thread with instructions. Students should bring scissors, light and bead mat if desired.
Presenter: Laura Bak-Mahlkuch, a Madison chapter member and owner of the Prairie Star Lodge, has been beading non-stop for many years and teaches classes at her crafting retreat center.
Meeting: In person & via Zoom
Registration Fee: $5
Kit Fee: $15 – $20
Registration Deadline: Closed
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Halloween Bracelet
Thurs, Oct 15
7pm – 9pm
Description: Madison chapter member Tina Marie Maes will teach a seasonal beading project recently retired from the EGA Petite Project Collection – the Halloween Bracelet. Just right for the season and with some unique twists from Tina Marie.
Presenter: Tina Marie Maes, chapter member and leader of the EGA Online Beading Special Interest Group, will be teaching her first class for EGA and bringing her special touch to this project—n purple no doubt!
Meeting: In person & via Zoom
Registration Fee: $5
Kit Fee: $15
Registration Deadline: Closed
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Art of the Needle Show
Sat, Oct 17
10am-4pm
Sun, Oct 18
Noon-4pm
Description: For 48 years, our Madison Area EGA Chapter has hosted Art of the Needle, showcasing members’ stitching. We invite the community to celebrate our work, talk with members and view hands-on demonstrations in this two day event.
Members enjoy sharing their work with each other and the public, viewing the chapter’s 2027 Program, shopping Boutique and Stash, buying Drawing tickets and let’s not forget, chat with friends and family over yummy treats.
For more information, visit our Art of the Needle Show page HERE.
Stitch-In & Show Reflection
Fri, Nov 13
9am – 11am
Description: A time to stitch together and reflect about the show.
Presenter: Show Chair
Meeting: In person & via Zoom
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Chapter Annual Meeting
Thurs, Nov 19
7pm – 9pm
Description: The annual member meeting is a chance to review the chapter’s accomplishments for the year and learn about what’s ahead for the new year, including a detailed review of the 2027 Program. The new slate of officers and 2027 budget will be approved.
Presenters: Board Members
Meeting: In person & via Zoom
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Quarterly Stitch-In
Sat, Nov 28
10am – 4pm
Description: An opportunity to gather together casually to stitch, talk, and get to know one another! Bring your own stitching project.
Hosts:Hosts: Chapter member, Laura Bak-Mahlkuch and Program Co-Chairs, Claire DeChristina and Ilene Manka.
Meeting: In person
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Winter Social
Sat, Dec 12
10am – 4pm
Description: Brunch potluck and stitch-in. Details will be provided in the chapter newsletter.
Hosts: Claire DeChristina & Ilene Manka – 2026 Program Chairs
Meeting: In person
RSVP Deadline: December 1, 2026
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Past 2026 Program Events
Caring For Your Treasures Lecture
Fri, Sep 11
9am – 11am
Description: Representatives from the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts (WMQFA) will present a lecture on storage and care of your fiber art treasures. Selected pieces from the WMQFA collection will be shown along with the lecture.
Presenter: The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts
https://www.wiquiltmuseum.com/
Meeting: In person & via Zoom
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Finishing Ideas
Lecture
Thurs, Sep 17
7pm – 9pm
Description: Kim Sanders will present a lecture on unique finishing ideas for needlework just in time to prepare for our annual needlework show and the holidays!
Presenter: Kim Sanders is a Life Member of EGA and is a past winner of the National Golden Thread Award. She is an EGA Certified Teacher of Crewel and Surface Embroidery and holds EGA Master Craftsman status in Smocking and Surface Embroidery.
Meeting: In person & via Zoom
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
STATE DAY WORKSHOP
Snowflake II
Fri, Sep 18
12pm – 4pm
Description: On DAY 1 of our State Day Weekend, EGA-Certified teacher Kim Sanders will teach a half-day class entitled “Snowflake II”, a drawn thread ornament which is the second of a series.
Presenter: Kim Sanders
Kit contains instructions, canvas and fibers. Students need to bring stretcher bars and tacks, magnifier/light, if needed and usual stitching supplies. Detailed instructions will be sent out to the registered attendees after registration closes.
Meeting: In person
Workshop Fee: $20
Kit Fee: $30
Registration Deadline: Closed
Summer Social
Sat, Jul 18
11am – 2pm
Description: Enjoy relaxing time of stitching and conversation. Bring a dish to pass for the Potluck!
Hosts: Ilene Manka and Claire DeChristina – 2026 Program Chairs
Meeting: In person
Location and more details were provided in a chapter email.
RSVP Deadline: July 15, 2026
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Boutique Workshop for
Art of the Needle Show
Fri, Aug 14
9am-11am
Thu, Aug 20
7pm-9pm
Description: Members will work on assorted boutique items for the annual show. Project ideas and materials will be provided by the boutique committee or you may bring your own item to work on. Please also bring any items you have finished for the boutique.
Presenter: Kat Polewski, our chapter’s boutique coordinator, will provide fun projects that we can sell at our show boutique.
Meeting: In person only
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Quarterly Stitch-In
Sat, Aug 29
10am – 4pm
Description: An opportunity to gather together casually to stitch, talk, and get to know one another! Bring your own stitching project.
Hosts: Chapter member, Laura Bak-Mahlkuch and Program Co-Chairs, Claire DeChristina and Ilene Manka.
Meeting: In person
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Quarterly Stitch-In
Sat, May 30
10am – 4pm
Description: An opportunity to gather together casually to stitch, talk, and get to know one another! Bring your own stitching project.
Hosts: Chapter member Laura Bak-Mahlkuch and Program Co-Chairs, Claire DeChristina and Ilene Manka.
Meeting: In person
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Stitching Diagonally Lecture
Fri, Jun 12
9am – 11am
Thurs, Jun 18
7pm – 9pm
Presenter: Dawn Donnelly is a mixed-media artist focusing on needlepoint. She teaches nationally for EGA and National Academy of Needlearts (NAN). Her award-winning artwork has been featured in exhibitions of the American Quilters’ Society, the International Quilt Association, Crafts National, CraftForms, Wisconsin Artists Biennia, and many others.
https://www.threadupdd.com/
Meeting: In person and Zoom
(June 12-Dawn will present via Zoom and June 18 in person)
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
TWO-DAY WORKSHOP
Holly
Fri, Jun 19
9am – 4pm
Sat, Jun 20
9am – 4pm
Description: Nan-certified instructor Dawn Donnelly will teach an intermediate 18-count canvas piece for the holidays appropriately called “Holly”. Stitches and techniques include Oriental, Rhodes, Woven Trellis, Hesitation, Satin, Cross, Eyelet, Cashmere, Fly Stitch, Squared Filling, and Branscombe Edge. The design size is 9″ x 12″.
Presenter: Dawn Donnelly
Kit contains instructions, canvas and fibers. Students need to supply laying tool, stretcher bars/tacks, needles and basic stitching supplies.
Meeting: In person
Registration Fee: $10
Kit Fee: $152
Class Fee: $40.50 – $97.00
Registration Deadline: Closed
On-Going Project: From Dark to Light
Description: For the March, April and May monthly meetings, members can choose between the three-part ongoing project, Dark to Light: Shading with a Blended Needle (pictured at left), or stitch a Boutique Bonus item or personal project of choice. There will be something for everyone at these meetings!
On-Going Project Details: Learn how to shade strandable thread by removing and adding thread one at a time. The same instructions will be repeated in morning and evening sessions. Students will provide canvas for a 6″ x 6″ finished project, fibers (cotton or silk) in the colors of their choice, stretcher bars, laying tool and usual stitching supplies. Pre-work is required prior to the first class. Students have the option to do the entire project, half, or learn just the stitches taught each month.
Presenter: Debra Steaffens is a long-time member who has designed and taught many counted canvas pieces for our Chapter. She was recently featured in Needle Pointers Magazine (American Needlepoint Guild) for her painted canvas color and stitch choices.
Meeting: In person and Zoom
Registration Fee: $5
Kit Fee: $10
Registration Closed
ON-GOING PROJECT
Part 1
Fri, Mar 13 9am – 11am
Thur, Mar 19 7pm – 9pm
Description: A brief discussion of choosing colors will start the class. The left column stitches–Bargello, Satin Stitch, Pavilion Diamond and Large Diamond Eyelet-will be taught.
Presenter: Debra Steaffens
-OR-
Personal Project
Members: No charge for members and guests for Stitch-In. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
ON-GOING PROJECT
Part 2
Fri, Apr 10 9am – 11am
Thur, Apr 16 7pm – 9pm
Description: The middle column stitches-Florentine Teardrop (with beads or metallic), Diagonal Gobelin, Byzantine, and Ray Stitch-will be taught.
Presenter: Debra Steaffens-OR-
Personal Project
Members: No charge for members and guests for the Stitch-In. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
ON-GOING PROJECT
Part 3
Fri, May 8 9am – 11am
Thur, May 21 7pm – 9pm
Description: The right column stitches-Giant Scotch, Diagonal Cashmere, Diagonal Gobelin, and Sprat’s Head-will be taught.
Presenter: Debra Steaffens
-OR-
Personal Project
Members: No charge for members and guests for Stitch-In. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
KNOTS!
Fri, Jan 9
9am – 11am
Thurs, Jan 15
7pm – 9pm
Description: Learn how to make and use decorative knots in your embroidery. There is more to stitch than a French knot!
To participate in the stitching portion of the program, have quilted or counted ground fabric, hoop, clamp or needlework stand so both hands can be used, assorted needles and the usual stitching tools handy.
Presenter: Wendy Lynn is a member of the Waterfall Glen Chapter of the Great Lakes Region and a plural member of our chapter. She has previously been Director of the Great Lakes Region, and Membership and Marketing Director of EGA National. She hosts the monthly Sunday online Crewel and Surface Embroidery Group and helped establish at least two other nationally sponsored special interest groups in Beading and Counted Thread embroidery.
Meeting: via Zoom only
Registration Fee: None
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
Seven Ways of Color Contrast Lecture
Fri, Feb 13
9am – 11am
Thurs, Feb 19
7pm – 9pm
Description: Need help selecting color choices? This lecture introduces you to the seven forms of contrast. Understanding the effects of color contrast will assist you in selecting better colors for your embroidery.
Presenter: Laura Smith is a nationally known designer of innovative embroidery and a process-style instructor whose taught over 1000 students. She holds the master craftsman certification in color from EGA.
Meeting: via Zoom only
Members: No charge for members and guests. Guests please email: membership@madisonareaega.org
TWO DAY WORKSHOP
Trillium Temari
Sat, Feb 28
9am – 4pm
Sat, Mar 7
9am – 4pm
Description: This two part Temari class for all levels will teach the Trillium Temari ball, a new design for our chapter.
In the first class, fill, wrap, and mark the rice hull Temari ball for stitching. In the second class, learn to place an “obi” around your ball and stitch your design.
Presenters: Mary Jo Kopecky, long time chapter member, has stitched and collected a wide assortment of temari and will share her skills and knowledge. Kari Beetham, fellow member in our Temari Special Interest Group, will assist Mary Jo in teaching this workshop.
Kit Contents: Base and Temari ball materials. Students need to supply spool of serger thread, 3 skeins of #5 pearl cotton, in 3 colors of their choice. Detailed information will be shared with registered participants.
Meeting: In person only
Registration Fee: $5
Kit Fee: $25
Class Fee: $3 – $7
Registration Closed
