In 1981, the “Landmarks of Knoxville” project began with the creation of a counted cross stitch chart and kit for Hopecote, a historic house on the University of Tennessee campus. Four founding members and presidents of the Knoxville Chapter EGA—Elaine Sappington, Phyllis Trusty, Joan Easterly, and Melinda Davis—and new member, Helen Lie, formed the original committee; Addie Croes was the first chair.

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Initially conceived as a community outreach project to stimulate interest in embroidery and in the Embroiderers’ Guild, the value of the project as a fundraiser soon became apparent, especially as Knoxville was preparing to host the 1982 World's Fair.

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From the beginning, the chapter set very high standards for accurate research, ethical procedures, and a high-quality detailed chart embossed with the chapter name with a photograph of the finished work attached.

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The Landmark Committee members chose the landmark or design concept, got permission to copy the landmark when appropriate, took photographs, and selected a designer to create the cross stitch graph. A chapter member stitched the prototype while counting the amount of thread needed for each color; directions, colors, and a brief history were added to the chart. The stitched model was then professionally framed. Finally, the committee assembled packages with the chart, directions, information about the subject, and a color photograph, then publicized and marketed the new design. In the first years, the committee assembled complete kits with fabric, labeled threads, and a needle. At present, only charts with pictures and directions are sold. 

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The Knoxville Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild has enjoyed recognition for their outstanding work and for the Chapter’s artistic contribution to the preservation of the heritage and historical landmarks of Knoxville. Framed pieces from the collection have been displayed at the News Sentinel Gallery and at the East Tennessee Historical Society Gallery. Members have stitched and donated pieces to several landmarks across Knoxville. The project gained national interest with the publication of an article by Joan Easterly in Needle Arts magazine (Winter 1984), ”Museum Houses in Needlework,“ which included instructions for other EGA chapters who wished to initiate similar projects.