Needlework History of Broome County New York

08/29/2026

Continuing the celebration of all the Amazing Broome County Needlework Guilds!

08/29/2026

During the months of September and October, Needlework History of Broome County New York, is celebrating the long-standing needlework guilds here in Broome County.

One such guild, the Pearl K. McGown Rughookrafters, have a wonderful display currently on view at the Vestal Public Library for the entire month of September.

Pearl K. McGown has been around since 1971. Every two years, they have an impressive exhibit of their work at the Vestal United Methodist Church.

If you want to see some of the finest rug hooking in town, stop over to the Vestal Public Library (320 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY 13850) and get a close-up appreciation of their amazing work.

08/12/2026

I can't lie - the 1800 Anne Patterson Bedcover is one of my favorite pieces of historical Broome County, NY needlework. That is why during the month of September, I will be holding 2 workshops to celebrate the Anne Patterson bedcover. These workshops will re-create an easy floral motif from the Anne Patterson bedcover. We will stitch on wool, using eco-dyed wool floss and we will create a beautiful keepsake ornament using a stacked straight-stitch and the herringbone stitch.

The first workshop will be at Roberson Museum Art's Abloom event on Sunday, September 13, 2026. You have to buy a ticket to gain entry to the event, but the actual kit for the workshop is free. You can learn more about the Art's Abloom event, purchase your ticket and register for the Floral Motif Workshop by visiting the Roberson Museum web site: roberson.org/artsabloom/

The second workshop will be at Tioga County Historical Society in Owego, NY on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 2pm. to 4pm. The kit again is free and admission into the historical society is free. You do need to register - but registering is easy. Just send an email to: [email protected] and I will hold you a seat. Registration for the Owego workshop closes at midnight on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

These workshops are brought to you, in-part, by the Embroiderers' Guild of AmericaLegacy Scholarship. The purpose of the Legacy Scholarship is for EGA members to study the art of embroidery and the preservation of its heritage.

08/08/2026

Here in Broome County, we have multiple needlework guilds. I don't know if that is uncommon, but it is a benefit if you are someone who loves needlework. Here in Broome County, we have a needlework guild (B.C. Stitchers), we have a rug hook guild (Pearl K. McGown), we have a fiber guild (Southern Tier Lamb to Loom) and we have more than one quilt guild (ex: Common Threads, Triangle Quilt Guild, Broome County Quilters Guild).

And these guilds would be in addition to all the other various groups (cultural as well as social) who meet up all round the Southern Tier of NY to stitch, hook, knit, crochet, weave or quilt at locations like churches, senior centers, fiber shops, quilt shops, fabric shops, coffee houses, libraries and bookstores. The interest in needlework within Broome County (and the surrounding counties) is truly staggering.

That is why for the months of September and October, various needlework guilds here in Broome County will celebrate their history with educational displays at local libraries. These displays will not only tell you about the long history behind these needlework guilds, but they will show you the results of that longevity. Many of these guilds not only create but they engage. Many are routinely active in the community donating their time, skill, creativity and energy.

During the Month of September, both the Broome County Public Library in Binghamton and the Vestal Public Library in Vestal will have needlework history displays. And if you miss the September displays, be sure to stop in at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library in Endicott to catch the ones in October.

In the months upcoming, there will be multiple events and displays that will allow you to not only explore and learn, but to celebrate the Needlework History of Broome County.

08/02/2026

Did you know that Boscov's in Binghamton is a part of Broome County Needlework History?

As it happens, Boscov's would rent out their auditorium on the Fourth Floor for showcases and exhibits. Various quilting and embroidery exhibits were held there in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

I actually called the Binghamton Boscov’s for comment. I wanted to get their thoughts on being a part of Needlework history. The woman I spoke to explained that once upon a time, Boscov’s had a Public Relations Department, and they simply rented out the auditorium. However, old newspaper articles tell a different story. Boscov’s actually sponsored these various needlework exhibits by advertising them in the pressconnects.com / Press & Sun-Bulletin. So, they did a bit more than just rent out the space - they actually helped support and celebrate local needlework!!!! How cool is that?

07/26/2026

The Anne Patterson bedcover was stitched back in 1800 by the wife of Broome County Founding Father, Amos Patterson. We don’t know a lot about Anne, but if we dig around the internet, we can find bits and pieces of information:

• Anne (Williams) Patterson was born on March 22, 1753, in Colchester, CT.
• She was the daughter of John Williams (1718-1754) and Abigail (Crocker) Williams (1724-1771).
• She had relatives who came to the new world on the Mayflower (John Howland & Elizabeth Tilley).
• She married Amos Patterson in 1775 when she was 22 years old.
• She had 11 children.
• She died on December 25, 1815, of a “bilious colic” (gallstones).
• The Rev. Hezekiah May gave a sermon at her funeral and some of the qualities attributed to Anne included, “estimable”, “charitable to the poor”, “assiduous” and “affectionate in the discharge of the duties of her station”.

Of course, there is much that the historical record does not reveal about Anne, however, I tend to suspect that Anne Patterson came from a family of women who knew their way around a needle.

We have three pieces of evidence that support this supposition. First, we have the bedcover that Anne Patterson herself created in 1800. Second, we have another Broome County, NY bedcover (1793-1810) that can be found at the The Art Institute of Chicago in Illinois that was created by Amos Patterson’s sisters (Elizabeth, Abigail, Lydia, Martha, Sarah, and Esther). Third, we have a bed rug created by Anne Patterson’s cousin, Hannah Johnson in 1796 - also located at The Art Institute of Chicago.

These are three very impressive pieces of needlework. They are all different from one another, but the common thread can be seen in the skill, technique and artistry.

Join me in September as we celebrate the “assiduous” Anne Patterson and her wonderful bedcover (currently on display at the Tioga County Historical Society in Owego, NY). I will be holding two workshops:

September 13, 2026 – At Roberson Museum Arts Abloom Event, Binghamton, NY
September 19, 2026 – At Tioga County Historical Society, Owego, NY

Watch this space for updates and additional information

07/22/2026

I will be holding a floral motif workshop at the Arts Abloom event at Roberson Museum on September 13. Folks who register for the workshop will re-create a floral motif from the 1800 Anne Patterson bedcover (currently on display at the Tioga County Historical Society in Owego, NY). The motif will be stitched on wool using natural dyed wool thread and the completed piece will be fashioned into a keepsake ornament. I will post additional details in August. Watch this space 😀.

06/27/2026

As the Outreach Technician for the B.C. Stitchers - I get to roll my promotion and celebration of Broome County Needlework History into the various outreach events I do for the B.C. Stitchers. We are pretty busy for the month of July. If you are interested in learning more about the B.C. Stitchers, taking one of our needlework classes, partnering with the B.C. Stitchers, or visiting our information table - here is the list of where we will be in July.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14kUdKXoLPn/

The month of July is known for many things. Specifically, Independence Day, but did you know that July is also National Ice Cream Month? I was not aware of that. It does lend July an extra level of "festive". However, July is also a VERY busy month for the B.C. Stitchers. We will be out and about in the community. We will be at information tables, we will be doing a demonstration on candle wicking, we will be talking about Broome County Needlework History and let's not forget the workshops - so many workshops. (And I suspect we will also be enjoying some ice cream 😉)

• George F. Johnson Memorial Library – Information Table - Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 1001 Park St., Endicott, NY - from 5pm. to 7pm. The B.C. Stitchers will have an information table at this promotional event the library is hosting where you can visit our information table and learn more about the B.C. Stitchers. Pick up our brochure, talk about membership, or just ask questions about needlework.

• Kirkwood, NY - 250th. 4th of July Event - Saturday, July 4, 20026 @ Veterans River Park, 311 Main St., Kirkwood, NY 13795 from Noon to 11:00 pm. The B.C. Stitchers will have an information table with brochures, giveaways, needlework displays and an all-day long demonstration of candle wicking (a technique of stitching that would have been in vogue during the American Revolution).

• Coburn Free Library – Liberty Bell Cross Stitch – Thursday, July 9, 2026 @ Coburn Free Library, 275 Main St., Owego, NY from 5:30pm. to 7:00pm. The B.C. Stitchers will be teaching a beginner cross-stitch class where you will stitch a fun and easy liberty bell. *Contact Coburn library and register if you plan to attend.

• Phelps Mansion – Information Table at Community Day – Saturday, July 11, 2006, 191 Court St., Binghamton, NY 13901 from 11am to 3pm. – This is a free community event with live music, kids crafts, historic woodworking, lawn games, sidewalk chalk, raffles, an ice cream truck, and a hot dog cart. The B.C. Stitchers will have an information table at this event with brochures, giveaways, needlework displays and stitching in public.

• Your Home Library – Liberty Bell Cross Stitch – Monday, July 13, 2026 @ Your Home Library, 107 Main St., Johnson City, NY 13790 from 5:00 pm. to 6:30pm. The B.C. Stitchers will be teaching a beginner cross-stitch class where you will stitch a fun and easy liberty bell. *Please call the library to register at: 607-797-4816.

• Knot Witches – Embroidery 102 – Saturday, July 25, 2026 @ Knot Witches Yarn and Fiber Shop, 18 Public Ave., Montrose, PA 18801 from 10am. to 11:30am. Please contact the ladies at Knot Witches if you are interested in attending. Their page is: www.facebook.com/knot.witches

06/21/2026

Broome County Needlework History Presentation Today at Phelps Mansion Museum.

04/19/2026

One of the most interesting aspects of going back and looking at the Needlework History of Broome County New York was old newspaper articles. References to needlework clubs can be found going back over 100 years. Whether they were church groups, social clubs or organizations – people were routinely meeting and doing all sorts of needlework. Here are a few entries from the Press and Sun-Bulletin from the year 1914:

Friday, January 9, 1914: MRS. BEAM IS HOSTESS OF RIVERVIEW NEEDLES
The Riverview Needle Club was entertained Wednesday afternoon by Mrs. Frank Beam of Upper Conklin Avenue. A pleasant afternoon was spent with needlework for the hostess, after which a delightful luncheon was served. Guests of the club were Mrs. Charles Felter, Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Dalrymple. The next meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. F.E. Gee on Jan. 14.

Thursday, March 12, 1914: MAKE APRONS FOR VALLEY ORPHANS
Needlework Club Meets with Mrs. Adamy, Union Personals – Mrs. Adamy entertained the Needlework Club of the Presbyterian Church Tuesday afternoon at her home on South Liberty Street. There were 23 members present who spent a pleasant afternoon finishing aprons for the children of the orphan’s home at Binghamton. Tea was served at 5 o’clock.

Wednesday, July 29, 1914: SUFFRAGISTS TO HAVE REAL QUILTING PARTY
A quilting party is being arranged by Mrs. H.M. Gitchell, president of the Votes for Women Club for tomorrow afternoon, in the headquarters, 50 Court St. Mrs. Gitchell announces that afternoon tea will be served. She urges all members of the club to be present and help work on the suffrage quilt.

Friday, December 18, 1914: 40 OF BARTLETT CORPS KNIT FOR SOLDIERS AND AID NEEDY BELGIANS
Mrs. W. J. Carver of Goethe Street entertained about 40 friends at a “knitting bee” yesterday afternoon. The afternoon was passed in knitting and crocheting articles for the Allied soldiers. A large number of socks and scarfs were commenced, Prof. Martin Deyo having furnished sufficient gray yarn to begin the articles. Mrs. J.J. Lawrence read a number of letters from a relative in England, descriptive of the work being done there for Belgian Refugees.