Dear Jeri,
You are of course, absolutely correct about the guilds for the various
fiber arts. But, similar to the lacemaker's situation in America, these guilds
are not widely known among hoi polloi. There are specialist shops for all of
them, if you know where to look, or search for them. But they are not thick on
the ground. Quilt shops, yarn shops, cross stitch shops are common in my area,
and those who quilt, knit, and do cross stitch can raise it to high art, but
that doesn't happen often, in my experience. One can go to Borders, or Barnes
and Noble and pick up magazines dealing with needlework of all sorts, but if
you check the ads, you will find that those advertising for serious
practitioners of the art or craft are nowhere near where you are sitting, but
more probably hundreds of miles away. I have embroidered, but I am not an
embroiderer. One may find a store capable of meeting the needs of an
experienced embroiderer in the Washington D.C. area, Bethesda being a subu
rb of Washington, for non-US readers, but I would be surprised, and most
pleased, to find two. I would expect to find more high quality yarn shops and
quilting shops in the area, but not many of those, either. Of course one can
find the chain craft stores all over, Michael's and A.C. Moore to name my local
ones, and they can suffice for a lot, but I would not go out of my way to go to
them.
Lyn in Lancaster, PA, where we can turn off the air conditioning at night, but
not in the afternoon.
-----Original Message-----
>From: [email protected].
>Sent: Aug 31, 2010 7:12 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Cc: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [lace] Bethesda.
>
>Dear Liz,
>
>When it gets closer to the time of the Bethesda IOLI Convention, members
>will receive helpful information. The committee has hosted several
>Conventions and they know what we like and what to offer in the way of extra
>activities, tours, museums, shopping suggestions, etc. in the Washington DC
>area.
>
>Specialist embroidery suppliers exist throughout our nation. The
>Embroiderers' Guild of America and American Needlepoint Guild have very
>active
>chapters throughout the country, including in the Washington DC area. There
>are quilting guilds, sewing guilds, knitting guilds, spinning and weaving
>guilds, a smocking guild, etc. Shops advertise in the bulletins and
>newsletters of these organizations. Teachers and specialists import and sell
>supplies. The guilds employ the best of teachers, many of whom have come to
>live in America from other countries and specialize in "ethnic" needlework.
>We also have teachers come from other countries just to teach, such as Jane
>Nicholas (stumpwork teacher from your Australia).
>
>In addition, there are general interest needlework magazines (like
>PieceWork) which have many advertisements - available in large bookstore
>magazine
>sections. You or your daughter Helen can go to such a store, pick up a
>selection of magazines, and sit in a chair in the store and read them from
>cover to cover, if you wish.
>
>If you would be more specific as to what you will want to shop for, I will
>try to help. I have been a member of EGA for 40+ years and ANG for about
>35, and belong to several other needlework organizations that send
>bulletins. And, as with lace, I receive catalogs from specialist suppliers.
> My
>library here is comprehensive; and not limited to lace.
>
>Kindest regards, Jeri
>
>Jeri Ames in Maine USA
>Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
>-----------------------------
>
>In a message dated 8/30/2010 11:39:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>[email protected] writes:
>
>I have been reading up about Bethesda, Maryland, - learning a bit before
>next years IOLI convention. Lots of information, - but Nothing at all about
>any Handcrafts!
>
>Please tell me what the main crafts are, if anyone knows. - Might they be
>Patchwork and Quilting (Is it near Amish country? - sorry, but my geography
>is not crash hot, lately!) There must be lacemaking!!!, - but what else?
>
>Regards from Liz in Melbourne, Oz
>[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
>
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