About Us

The Knoxville Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America was formed in 1975 with an original charter group of 23 women under president Elaine Sappington. Our chapter was the 64th chapter in the United States and the first in Tennessee. It was formed with the purpose of keeping alive the many old techniques of items created with a needle and thread. By the chapter's first birthday, membership enrollment stood at 109, there were four interest groups, and the chapter had established a newsletter called "The KEG", with the printed logo, "a little barrel of information" for the Knoxville Embroiderers' Guild.
 

Our first exhibit was presented at the UT Undergraduate Library, where members and their children dressed in period costume gave a stitching demonstration at a YWCA luncheon celebrating the American Bicentennial. Over the years, the chapter and its members have been involved in many other outreach projects across our community: 

• Hosting craft programs at the now closed Eastern State Hospital

• Exhibiting needlework across the region in libraries, art galleries, schools, department stores, historic homes, museums, hotels, fairs, community events, and regional and national seminars

• Hosting a judged show named "Needle Power" with over 500 pieces in the 1982 World's Fair

• Holding a judged show called "Tomorrow's Heritage" at the historic Crescent Bend home with entries from across the Tennessee Valley Region in 1987

• ​Participating in Needlework Fairs in 1980, 1981, and 1983 that inspired 70 new members to join

• Celebrating the chapter's 25th anniversary with a large exhibit at the Museum in Oak Ridge

• Teaching needlework skills at Girls Clubs and Girl Scouts

• Stitching vestments and kneelers for local churches and samplers for Habitat for Humanity homes

• Decorating a tree with themed stitched ornaments each year for the annual Fantasy of Trees event that raises funds for the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital

• Artistically documenting East Tennessee historical homes, buildings, and landmarks through the design, creation, and sales of cross stitch patterns for locations such as Ayres Hall, L&N Station, Market House, Westmoreland Water Wheel, and many other local favorites. 

• Supplying local elementary schools with stitched bookmarks for librarians to share with students and inspire an early love for reading

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Our chapter's story continues to be woven as new members join, interest groups build meaningful connections, outreach programs nurture community involvement, and educational opportunities teach the timeless and beautiful skills of embroidery across generations.