Students will learn a dozen common embroidery stitches to create a festive piece commemorating America's 250th birthday. This original design from Embroidery Artisan resembles a medallion and features a patriotic couple dressed in early American costume. The pair is surrounded by a laurel wreath and includes the inscription America 250: 1776-2026 — a perfect addition to any semiquincentennial collection. The finished design can be left in its original embroidery hoop (provided) and used as a wall hanging. Alternatively, the piece can be worked into an ornament, a decorative pillow, or used to embellish a bag. This class is suitable for students with basic needlework skills (e.g., familiar with threading a needle, experience following a pattern) *Class price includes materials fee. Erin Rodewald's embroidery journey began more than four decades ago. She is an active member of the Oatlands chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA) in Northern Virginia as well as Nelly's Needlers, a non-profit group of needle artists committed to the pursuit of fine needlework and the preservation of the historical Woodlawn house and museum near George Washington's Mount Vernon. A candidate for EGA's Master Craftsman in Crewel, Erin has participated in the annual Woodlawn Needlework Show for many years and received awards for her crewel embroidery work. When she is not stitching, Erin is most often researching and writing. She has been published in EGA's Needle Arts magazine, is soon to be published in Piecework magazine, and is also the author of the Embroidery Artisan blog. Follow her on Instagram at @embroideryartisan or on the blog at www.embroideryartisan.com