Service Projects
The New York Capital District Chapter has been involved in many service projects in which we use our needlework skills to help organizations in the community. Led by Betsy Ellsworth, members of the chapter researched and stitched recreations of historical needlework for the Schuyler Mansion, Albany Institute of History and Art and the Ten Broeck Mansion. Projects included a sampler, pocketbooks, tambour work, a pocket, a small needle case, a silk picture, pincushion and chairseats.
In 1988, again under the leadership of Betsy Ellsworth, members of the chapter stitched 10 panels of goldwork for the drapes in the Executive Chamber of the Capitol building. Five motifs taken from a sunflower motif found on the gilded, embossed wallcovering were stitched on each panel.
The Chapter has published two booklets. The first- "Threads of the Past - Needlework from Historic Sites in Albany" - gives directions for reproducing all the historical projects with historical notes, stitch diagrams and finishing information. The second volume, "Threads of the Past - Goldwork in the New York State Capitol", describes the process of designing the goldwork panels, then gives detailed directions for reproducing the design.
Both volumes are available for $12 by writing:
New York Capital District Chapter EGA
PO Box 443
Slingerlands, NY 12159
Please make your check payable to NY Capital District Chapter EGA
Other service projects that are now ongoing include stitching a sampler for families moving into their new Habitat for Humanity homes, making dolls for children coming to the emergency room at Albany Medical Center, knitting hats for premies and conducting a week-long Teach the Children to Stitch class at local libraries. The photos below show an exhibit of our needlework holiday ornaments at the East Greenbush Library during the month of December 2009.
