Biennial Needle Art Show featured nearly 200 pieces of embroidery, stitching techniques

Published 5:30 am Thursday, March 28, 2024

By Jennifer Scott

Bobbie Ashley demonstrates how to perform a method called Tambour, which is an embroidery technique that uses a hook to create a chain stitch instead of the traditional needle and thread. (Jennifer Scott/Tyle Morning Telegraph)

Enthusiasts of traditional needle and thread visited the Tyler Rose Garden last weekend for the biennial Needle Art Show, which was hosted by the East Texas Embroiderers Guild.

“The show gives us an opportunity to get some new things out there,” said Pam Smith, guild member and show coordinator.

The show featured 197 pieces of embroidery and stitching techniques, such as beadwork, darning, goldwork, canvaswork and more.

Pat Daniel drove up from Clear Lake, a neighborhood outside of Houston, with a friend to explore much of what East Texas has to offer.

“We knew that there was a rose garden here with (thousands of) roses,” Daniel said. “And then we saw there was a needle art craft show so we’re gonna go there and then we’re gonna go into the museum.”



Daniel said she likes to do cross stitching.

Although the guild dealt with a slow Friday because of the weather that day, they still feel the show was a success.

Senior member Susan Koellner provided brochures to visitors interested in possibly joining the guild and offered free visits as well.

The last time the East Texas Embroiderers Guild hosted the show was in 2018 but by the time the next event was set — in 2020 — everything was shut down because of COVID.

“We were going to reschedule for 2021, but people still weren’t coming out. They were trying to be healthy,” Smith said. “So we were not able to create our new show until 2024.”

The guild hopes the event still drew enough attention to gain more members.

“People can still join,” Smith said. “They can come to the church, contact us anytime and we would be glad to show them around.”

Guild members Pam Smith, Koellner and Sheila Wyze were recognized with People’s Choice Awards.

Koellner also won a vase with 13 Temari balls.

“We just want everybody to know that we’re here,” Smith said. “We would love to have new members, maybe they have some new ideas they can teach us… we’re also available to come out and teach as well.”

Visit East Texas Embroiderers Guild’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/etxeguild, for more information.

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