B.C. Stitchers

06/16/2026

That's right! Back by popular demand - the B.C. Stitcher's Embroidery 101 workshop is headed your way. It's fun - it's engaging - and it's coming to Your Home Public Library, 107 Main St., Johnson City, NY on Monday, June 22, 2026 from 5pm to 6:30pm.

If you're clueless when it comes to hand embroidery and you want answers to the following questions:
• How do I thread a needle?
• How do I use embroidery floss?
• How do those zany embroidery hoops work?
• How do I know what type of fabric to use?
• How do I find patterns?
• Where can I get embroidery supplies?

The B.C. Stitchers Embroidery 101 workshop has your answers. And BONUS - we'll also teach you some basic embroidery stitches - specifically the straight stitch, the backstitch, the lazy daisy, the split stitch, and the French Knot (Ooohhh La La!)

This class is very popular and with good reason - it's AMAZING!!!! And even better - it's FREE! I mean c'mon - who doesn't like free? Get yourself on the interstate to embroidery bliss. Call Your Home Public Library in Johnson City to register at 607-797-4816 and secure your seat today 🤩.

06/14/2026

My post today is brief. It’s about needlework history. And at the end of my post, I am going to give you a personal invitation.

In a nutshell, the history of things is important. It gives us a path to follow. It shows us where we have been and how we got to where we are now. There is always a thread to follow.

Here in the Southern Tier of New York, needlework is a thread that has invisibly woven its way through our community for well over 200 years. It’s one of those things we don’t think about – but it exists – it’s always existed. Some of us might have a grandmother who quilts, an aunt who cross-stitches, an uncle who’s a tailor, or a cousin who weaves and crochets.

If we follow that thread into the past – it becomes very clear how prevalent needlework is and historically, has been, within our local communities.

For those of you who live locally within the Southern Tier of New York, I invite you to join me, Jen Lorang (that lady who does the outreach workshops for the B.C. Stitchers) at Phelps Mansion in Binghamton, NY this Saturday, June 20, 2026. Phelps will be holding a Broome County History Day. It’s part of New York State’s Path Through History Weekend. This is a FREE event filled with speakers who will talk with you about local history. Phelps Mansion is just one of many agencies within our community who work tirelessly to preserve and celebrate local history. As part of my EGA scholarship, I will be giving a 45-minute presentation about Broome County Needlework History. My presentation starts at 11:10 am. and my goal is to share insights about some of Broome County’s vibrant and compelling needlework history.

I hope to see you there 😊.

Broome County History Day – Path Through History Weekend Join us on Saturday, June 20 at the Phelps Mansion Museum for Broome County History Day, part of New York State’s Path Through History Weekend. Throughout the day, local historians and guest speakers will present talks on a variety of topi...

06/11/2026

Ummm , who is out here in these streets putting together Liberty Bell Cross Stitch Kits for the workshop this Saturday (from 1:30 pm. to 3:30pm.) at the Broome County Public Library? www.thebcpl.org/event/cross-stitch-liberty-bell-bc-stitchers-17330

Why it is I - Jen - your Friendly B.C. Stitchers Outreach Technician.

Are you signed up? Did you register with the library? What are you waiting for?!?! Cross stitch! Patriotic! Fourth of July! The B.C. Stitchers!!!! Free Kit! It is checking ALL the boxes for fabulous summer fun! Register with the library today and snag a seat for Saturday 🤩

06/09/2026

B.C. STITCHER'S JUNE EVENT REMINDERS:

Saturday, June 13, 2026 - Broome County Public Library, Binghamton, NY - Liberty Bell Cross Stitch - 1-30pm. to 3:30pm. (www.thebcpl.org/event/cross-stitch-liberty-bell-bc-stitchers-17330) This is a beginner cross stitch class. We will be working on 14-count Aida fabric and we will be teaching the Danish cross stitch method.

Saturday, June 20, 2026 - Phelps Mansion in Binghamton, NY at 11:10am. - Jen Lorang (Outreach Person) with the B.C. Stitchers will be giving a 45-minute presentation at Phelps Mansion's Path Through History Weekend. The presentation, a highlight of Jen's EGA Scholarship research, will enlighten you about some of Broome County's varied and fascinating needlework history. https://phelpsmansion.org/event/path-through-history-weekend-8/

Monday, June 22, 2026 - Your Home Library in Johnson City - Embroidery 101. Contact the library to register for the class please @ 607-797-4816.

06/03/2026

Just a quick reminder - the B.C. Stitchers will be going on vacation for the months of July and August. That means, their last meeting before they go on vacation is today, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. As always, their meetings are open to the public. If you are someone who has been thinking about joining our needlework guild and want to learn more the B.C. Stitchers - we encourage you to come and visit a meeting.

We meet at the Endwell Fire Station, 3508 Country Club Rd., Endwell, NY 13760. Meeting starts at 6:30 and goes till about 7:45.

And even though the B.C. Stitchers will be on vacation - their Outreach Technician never sleeps - so workshops and events will continue on throughout the summer. Continue to visit our page to stay informed of the various needlework events and activities that will be taking place in and around the Southern Tier.

05/28/2026

I know what you’re thinking! What sort of classes do those AMAZING B.C. Stitchers have happening this Summer?

I’m glad you asked! This summer the B.C. Stitchers welcome you into the fun and easy to learn world of cross stitch. We begin our journey in June and July with a nod to America’s 250 years of independence with an easy liberty bell pattern. This is a good introduction to counted cross stitch. It’s a small pattern with just three colors (Red, White & Blue). You’ll be taught the Danish stitch method.

We will also discuss a little cross stitch history. Did you know that cross stitch can be traced back to 6th. and 7th. century Egypt? Then, we will talk cross stitch basic - fabric, needles, patterns, and floss. In the process, we’ll get you started on cross stitching your liberty bell and at the end of an hour and a half – you will have the confidence and know-how to finish the pattern on your own at home.

As always, a kit will be provided with all the necessary items. You don’t need to bring anything but yourself. However, you do need to register with the local library hosting the class. The following libraries will have liberty bell cross stitch classes this Summer:

• George F. Johnson Library (1001 Park St., Endicott, NY) – Monday, June 8, 2026 from 6pm. to 7:30pm. - www.gfjlibrary.org/calendar/

• Broome County Public Library (185 Court S., Binghamton, NY) – Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. - www.thebcpl.org/event/cross-stitch-liberty-bell-bc-stitchers-17330

• Coburn Free Library (275 Main St., Owego, NY) – Thursday, July 9, 2026 from 5:30pm. to 7pm. – the class is not listed on their calendar currently, but their librarian tells me it will be out on their calendar the beginning of June.
http://coburnfreelibrary.org/events/

• Your Home Public Library (107 Main St., Johnson City, NY) Monday, July 13, 2026 from 5:00pm. to 6:30pm. (Call the library to register at: 607-797-4816).

05/21/2026

Your wish has come true! I have managed to get ONE more B.C. Stitchers Embroidery 101 workshop on deck for this Summer. Mark your calendars!!! Monday, June 22, 2026 from 5pm. to 6:30pm. at Your Home Public Library (www.yhpl.org), 107 Main St., Johnson City, NY 13790.

You do have to register for the workshop as I like to know how many kits to pack. So, give our friends at the library a call at: 607-797-4816 and snag yourself a seat. These Embroidery 101 classes are intro. to embroidery - so we are teaching you the basics: How to thread a needle, how to use an embroidery hoop, how to figure out floss, and how to do some basic, yet popular embroidery stitches. This class is crazy popular, and it does fill up fast. Get your seat today!

Library Hours: Monday9 am - 7 pm Tuesday9 am - 7 pm Wednesday9 am - 7 pm Thursday9 am - 7 pm Friday9 am - 5 pm Saturday10 am - 2 pm SundayClosed Recent News YHPL Closed May 22 through May 26 May 20, 2026Your Home Public Library will be closed Friday, May 22 through

05/17/2026

Embroidery 102 at the Broome County Public Library yesterday was delightful. It was a small group, but the weather here in the Southern Tier of NY yesterday was beautiful. And quite frankly, when we get a day with blue skies and sunshine - I can't blame folks for forgetting about attending an Embroidery 102 class 😉.

A highlight of the afternoon was that one of the class attendees (Bonnie Donovan) actually brought a mixed media table runner that she had created (see picture). Her piece is a beautiful example of how we can take the basic stitches learned in an Embroidery 101 or 102 class and stir in the mixed media concept. I gotta tell ya - I love it when our community engages with the B.C. Stitchers in our shared love of needlework.

The other highlight of the day was a B.C. Stitcher appearance!!! You know I am overjoyed when my fellow B.C. Stitchers stop into an outreach class. Many thanks to Mary Jo Homanich for her assistance on Saturday and for sharing a patriotic cross stitch project she is working on with the class.

The next B.C. Stitcher Outreach Event is an easy, beginner-friendly, cross-stitch Liberty Bell ornament on June 8 at 6pm. at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library in Endicott, NY. If you are interested, please register online at the library web site: https://www.gfjlibrary.org/calendar/

05/12/2026

Quick Reminder: The last Embroidery 102 is happening on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Broome County Public Library from 1:30pm. to 3:30pm. They still have openings. Register on the Broome County Public Library web page: https://www.thebcpl.org/event/embroidery-102-bc-stitchers-18415

And for those of you who are like, "Well, what about another Embroidery 101 Jen?" You will be pleased to know that I am in the process of scheduling one more Embroidery 101 at the Johnson City Library for June. Once there is a date, I will list it here and give you all the details.