60th Annual woodlawn Needlework Show

cRAFT AS cOMFORT: jOY IN nEEDLEWORK

Wednesday, March 1ST - fRIDAY, March 31st 2023

(except tuesdays)


About the Woodlawn Needlework Show

In 2023, Woodlawn celebrates 60 years of the Annual Needlework Show with the timeless theme of comfort and joy. Sixty years ago, Adelaide Bolte and Emma “Pinky” Matheson, co-founders of the Nelly’s Needlers, started the needlework show exhibiting work of their own. Since that time, the show has grown exponentially to become the largest judged show of needle arts in the nation, displaying thousands of embroidery pieces by artists from all over the world.

The 60th Annual Needlework Show’s theme “Craft as Comfort: Joy in Needlework” reminds us of the importance of finding activities in life that bring us joy in the making and comfort when we feel stress or sadness. Crafting such as needlepoint helps us develop a skill that builds confidence and self-esteem and compels us to come together in community. Needlepoint is meditative and soothing in its repetitive nature, allows for focus and attention, and brings great satisfaction by providing a tangible result. Crafting appeals to all, regardless of age, culture or background. It is an unintimidating art that gives the crafter permission to play and explore. The happiness that it brings to both artist and viewer is immeasurable.

We hope that this year’s show shines a light on the tremendous mental health benefits that arise from stitching and gives us another opportunity to come together in community to uplift this art and recognize its importance, especially in today’s fragile world.

Woodlawn programs and activities spotlight all who lived and worked here, while maintaining the long tradition of the needle arts, promoting emerging needlework artists, and raising needed funds to preserve our site today.

Woodlawn has a long history of needlework, starting with the first owner, Eleanor “Nelly” Custis, one of America’s foremost needleworkers and noted seamstresses she enslaved, including Sukey, Eliza, Polly, Nelly, and Lucinda, who created and mended textiles used in the Custis household.


About Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

At Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House we are on a journey to discover and share the full story of our history, including the stories of enslaved people, free blacks and anti-slavery activists who lived and worked here. As we refocus on the complete and truthful histories of our past, we remain a place of community - where people can gather, learn, experience, tour, create, and explore for years to come.



Submissions are now closed for our 2023 Show

If you have any questions please email us at woodlawnevents@savingplaces.org

 

requirements for submitting your work

Entries to the Show must be submitted through the online form.

Once the form is completed, please plan to deliver your piece by mail, through a designated needlework shop or gallery, or delivered in person.

Check with your local shop, group or guild to ensure they are accepting entries for drop-off.

Read these instructions carefully to ensure the safe delivery and return of your piece!

  • All entries must remain at Woodlawn for the duration of the exhibition.

  • Storage fees of $5 per day are applied for any item(s) remaining on the property beyond pick-up dates.

  • Entries requiring hanging must be wired. No sawtooth or other hanging devices can be accepted due to the historic nature of the house walls.

return of entries

All needlework pieces may be picked up by individuals or shops, guilds, and groups during the following dates and times:

  • Friday, April 7th from 10:00 pm - 3:00 pm

  • Saturday, April 8th from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

  • Sunday, April 9 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

If you are picking up more than a few pieces, please make sure to schedule a slot for one of those days AT LEAST ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE by contacting Deb Kempton at kemptonda@icloud.com or at 703-989-1222.

Woodlawn will not hold submitted entries past these dates without financial penalty unless approved in advance by no later than March 31st. There is a holding fee is $5 per day after April 9th. All mail-in entries will be returned by no later than April 30th, 2023 if the required label was included. If label is not included, returns may take longer and a holding fee will be added after April 9th.



Exhibiting information

is my piece eligible?

The Needlework Show is judged, not juried. We look forward to including a variety of pieces at all levels, from beginners through experts.

Requirements:

Each entry must be the work of a living person, stitched with hand-held, threaded needle, and appropriately finished. Items entered previously, as well as crocheted, knitted, macramé, woven and hooked items, are NOT eligible.

judging

Each entry will be classified and judged by Division first, Category second, then by Technique. Entrants must include their classification on their submission form. Woodlawn and its judges reserve the right to reclassify entries, if appropriate.

classifications

Divisions

  • Adult:
    For stitchers 18 years and over

  • Senior:
    For stitchers 70 years and over

  • Junior:
    Three divisions: up to 9 years; 10 to 13 years; and 14 to 17 years

categories

  • Original Design:
    A unique design and composition, which is the product of the stitcher’s originality, and which may be produced using a computerized needlework design application. A short, typed statement MUST accompany the piece for it to be included in the judging as an original design.

  • Adaptation Design:
    A design whose source is a medium different from that of the entry, e.g. painting, photograph, etc. An image of the source—scanned through a CAD program or as a photograph—MUST accompany the piece and included in the online form for it to be included in the judging as an adaptation design.

  • Commercial Design:
    A work that uses a designer’s pattern for needlework, including a chart, painted canvas, printed graph, kit, class project, and alterations.

techniques

  • Beadwork

  • Canvaswork: Traditional or Multi-Stitch (4+)

  • Counted Thread, including but not limited to these styles: Blackwork, Cross Stitch, Drawn Thread, Hardanger and Sampler (traditional or multi-stitch (4+)

  • Embroidery, including, but not limited to Crewel, Goldwork, Japanese, Silk Ribbon, Stumpwork, Surface, White Work

  • Fine Hand Sewing

  • Needle Lace

  • Quilting, size is limited to 144 inches in perimeter

  • Smocking

  • Miniature, 32-count or higher, stitched over one thread

  • Punch Needlework



Visit the Show

Hours

Hours: March 1-31, 2023, 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m., every day, except Tuesday, including weekends.

The site grounds, Pope-Leighey House tours, and special exhibits are open the same hours as the Show.

DAILY ADMISSION FEES

Tickets may be used at any time during the day in which the ticket has been booked. Tickets are also available for purchase on site.

Please check back for ticketing updates as policies are subject to change.

Adults: $15.00

Students K - 12: $6.00

Children 5 and under are free.

Each person who enters a piece in the Show receives one free admission.

Accommodations: Thank you to our sponsor, The Hampton Inn, for generously offering discounted rates!

Visiting the Needlework Show from out of town or just need a place nearby to stay? Use Group Code: WNS for a special discounted rate, only for NW Show visitors! (Valid from February 27th - April 3rd, 2023)


Nelly’s Cafe

Nellys’ Café is back!  Nelly’s Needlers offers seated dining in Woodlawn’s beautiful Underwood room.  Enjoy dishes such as our fabulous chicken salad, quiche, famous lemon tarts, chocolate cake and more!

HOURS: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Nellys’ Café Group Reservations

Make a reservation to share lunch with a group of 8 or more of your friends. Reserve your table and meal ahead of time to avoid waiting in line!

For more details, contact Beth Britt:

571-238-7261

designbyambiance@yahoo.com


SHOW SALES

In 2023, needlework entries will not be available for purchase through Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, but a list of entrants interested in selling their work directly to visitors will be available.



Nelly’s Needlers

Our Needlework Show is supported each year by the Nelly’s Needlers, an all-volunteer group of passionate needleworkers who have supported our site for nearly 50 years. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact nellysneedlers@gmail.com

volunteers

We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities during the Show. If you are interested in volunteering, please email: needlersnellys@gmail.com with your requested time.



Questions? Contact us!

Use the email form below, or call us at 703-570-6920