Multiple generations gather monthly to celebrate an art form thousands of years old
“Okay, ladies, we are set for Needlepoint Palooza!” Stefanie Chase takes the peepers off her nose and brushes aside three canvases, two pairs of scissors, and countless cards of fiber to find a seat. Her living room is bursting with activity as some two-dozen women stitch stiff canvases of all colors and styles. The volume rises with each pull of a thread. “This really hasn’t surprised me at all,” admits the needlepoint instructor and founder of Upstate Stitchers of South Carolina. “I think people are hungry for relationships, and this creates an opportunity for people to come together and be relational around a shared love. It sets itself up for a win.”
It was just over a year ago that Stefanie approached Needlepoint Lane in Spartanburg about providing group lessons. The craft had exploded during COVID, giving novices stuck at home something to do. “Two people showed up to that first class,” the 57-year-old recalls. “The following week, we had three, and a month later, we were having to cap sold-out classes.” The married mom of two soon started offering her expertise to stores in Greenville, Augusta, and Columbia, and is now heading into 2023 with a full calendar of classes.
In December 2019, she invited all the women she’d met to a “Christmas Stitch” at her home, a stone’s-throw from downtown Greenville. That small, festive gathering birthed Upstate Stitchers, which now numbers more than 60 ladies clutching needle and thread, who meet each month.
Brantley Harrison became a regular in the fall. “I love seeing what other people are working on, and I can ask for advice,” the newcomer shares. “I love getting together with people not typically in my social circles and meeting people I don’t naturally come across every day. We’re all different ages.”
Harrison took up needlepoint a year ago and was surprised by what she found. “Before I started, I thought it was just pillows and dining room chairs. Stuff that doesn’t interest me,” the Eastside mom explains. “But there are canvases for all kinds of stuff. I’ve made belts and keychains. I find it’s really creative, and I’ve found a way to make pieces that fit into my lifestyle.”
Chase stands over Harrison’s shoulder, complimenting her design of a beloved dog who passed over the Rainbow Bridge. “We have young moms and women in their 70s,” reveals the leader. “We’ve taken road trips to explore shops in Atlanta and other parts of the state. We hosted a fall retreat at Lake Keowee. We have women who come from as far away as Asheville and Greensboro to stitch with us.”
The fast pace of the group’s growth proves that creativity and fun are on point. “It’s been a privilege and a blessing to see people of multiple generations enjoy the same craft that’s been around so long,” Chase reflects. “Nobody knew each other a year ago, and this is creating friendships that are centered around the love and joy of needlepoint, yet go beyond needlepoint. It’s beautiful.”
Sew Many Options for Upstate Stitchers
Embroidery – The overall term for decorating material with needle and thread; it can involve many different stitches, styles, and embellishments.
Cross stitch – A great starting point, this simple type of hand embroidery uses the basic X-shape.
Needlepoint – A surface embroidery technique that covers the top of fabric or canvas.
Crewel embroidery – Surface stitches using loosely twisted yarns; worked freely instead of being counted.
Knitting – Not a form of embroidery, knitting uses two long needles and yarn to form loops and stitches, creating blankets, scarves, and other items.
Crochet – Simpler than knitting for those interested in creating with yarn, crochet uses a single hook to connect loops.
You can learn more about Upstate Stitchers of South Carolina on Facebook, and on Instagram @Upstate_Stitchers.
