This membership website is an online community for embroidery enthusiasts to meet and exchange ideas, discuss new design and software releases, chat about life and make new friends.
According to the National Needlework Association (TNNA), the actual term “needleart” refers to any form of hand technique utilizing a needle and some type of fiber, yarn or thread in an effort to create a final product that may be both functional and attractive.
This includes needlepoint, also called canvas work or tapestry work, which is worked with thread on a canvas mesh.
Embroidery is a general term used to describe the art of decorating fabric with thread or yarn, using a needle and basic stitches. Cross-stitch is a form of embroidery using the basic “x” type stitch on any type of fabric.
Crochet actually gets its name from the tool used to create this needlework: “crochet” means “hook” in French. Using just one hook and one thread, loops are pulled through and joined to each other. This action produces different stitches and effects depending on how many loops are pulled through and where they are joined.
Knitting is the art of using yarn or thread to make fabric from interlocking loops. Beading and embellishments refers to all the buttons, adornments or accents one might apply to a fabric or surface material.
“Everyone’s doing it!”
According to recent studies by TNNA and other noted organizations such as the Hobby Industry of America (HIA), the Craft Yarn Council (CYCA) and Craftrends Magazine, the general craft market, as well as the needlearts industry, continues to show a strong pattern of growth.
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Even with all the data that’s been gathered, it’s unclear as to exactly how many people in the U.S. engage in some type of needlearts activity. Much of the research concentrates on the entire craft industry. Although certain needlearts are identified, many are not. There are also many facets of the needlearts industry which are difficult to categorize as they overlap in both services and products.
Even though the picture of a “typical” needlework enthusiast is still a woman, aged 35 to 65, there are more and more people taking up this activity. According to TNNA, students—young women and men alike—are knitting and crocheting on college campuses, while business people are releasing their stress by learning these relaxing techniques at lunchtime cafeterias. Children and adults are learning knitting and crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch and embroidery at events called knit-outs and stitch-outs all over the country.
Capitalizing on the trend
TNNA says this industry is unique in that the nature of needlearts is different from most other businesses. At its core is the sharing of ideas, energy and knowledge—the passing on of age-old traditions. It’s in this sharing that needlearts weaves people together in a very special way, according to TNNA.
It’s not unusual to find informal groups of people engaged in needlearts almost anywhere —business cafeterias, fitness facilities, dorm rooms—in cars, on buses and planes, says TNNA.
And now, online!
One company that has embraced the idea of an online needlearts community is ArtisticThreadWorks, Inc., which is the creation of Mequoda members Holly and Larry Pike. Their main website is the ATW Embroidery Club. (A Mequoda exclusive interview with them will be published later this month.)
There are two levels of membership in the ATW Embroidery Club—free and paid.
After free registration you have access to most of the features of the club, including some free designs, information forums, news and articles, link pages, event calendars, etc.
The benefits of membership
Paid membership is a modest $6 for one month or $15 for three months.
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