Stan Hywet Needlework Guild
SHNG is an independent needlework guild which meets at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, OH. The Guild promotes education in stitchery techniques and fellowship among needleworkers throughout the area. The Guild has approximately 100 members and holds seven meetings each year. Each meeting includes a lecture or workshop taught by local or nationally known teachers.
The Guild also supports Stan Hywet financially as well as with volunteer hours. Proceeds from Guild events contribute to the Guild Education Fund for the educational endeavors of the Guild and to the Textile Conservation Fund for restoration projects done in partnership with Stan Hywet. Guild members may give their time to conservation projects, lending their needlework skills as part of the conservation and restoration work that occurs at Stan Hywet. Members may also volunteer at other Stan Hywet events.
A bit of history…
The 1970’s brought a needlework renaissance, and Stan Hywet volunteers Ann Heslop and Marge Wheeler were ready with needles in hand. After the first needlework show was held in 1970 (presented by the Women’s Board of Stan Hywet), interest in needlework was so high that Ann and Marge began offering a series of needlework classes. They were a hit! Within the year, the Needlework Guild was “officially” formed. Soon after that, the Guild took over the presentation of Stitchery Showcase.
In later years, Marge shared her memory of the first needlepoint class held at Stan Hywet. Without advanced registration for the class, she and Ann guessed the number of kits to prepare, hoping that at least a few interested people would show up. The students began to trickle in, then increased in number; meanwhile Marge and Ann began to divide threads and supplies to accommodate. The students continued to return for more classes, forming a group that is today’s Stan Hywet Needlework Guild.
It’s more than fifty years later, and the Guild is still going strong. The early needlework shows evolved into Stitchery Showcase which continues to be held bi-annually as part of Ohio Mart in October. During alternate years, the Guild hosts a Textile Arts and Artisan Show. Every year, the Guild teaches children at the Children’s Corner and staffs the Stitchers’ Fair, brimming with stitching and crafting supplies at amazing prices.
