A group of 29 women, who would become The Vintage Stitchers, met on June 28, 1995, at St. Clare's Episcopal Church in Pleasanton, CA. Spearheading the group was Debbie Meijer, who also presided at the initial meeting. After unanimous agreement that evening to petition National for chapter status, the newly-elected officers and the by-laws committee shifted into high gear to complete the application package in time for the National Board meeting on July 23rd, 1995. In under a month, all forms were completed and bylaws written, and the National Board gave its approval. Charter President, Susan Larson, said she felt Vintage Stitchers were meant to have special treatment because of two pieces of serendipity surrounding our formation: St. Clare is the patron saint of embroiderers, and the initial meeting was in "the purple room."
The name, Vintage Stitchers, was chosen to honor the Tri-Valley region, which was one of the first areas in California to grow wine grapes. The chapter symbol is a cluster of grapes, and the logo features grapes with a tendril threaded through a needle's eye. Chapter colors are DMC 550 and 367.
The chapter meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday evening of the month, except for November and December, which is a combined meeting on the first Wednesday evening of December.(See the Meetings page for further details).
Chapter activities include monthly meetings with hands-on programs or lectures, coordination of Group Correspondence Courses, sponsorship of visiting teachers for workshops, community outreach, special social events, exhibits, and informal stitch-ins.
The chapter newsletter, The Grapevine, is published bimonthly; subscription cost is included in chapter membership dues.
The Board of Directors meets in odd numbered months prior to the General Meeting. The chapter Board of Directors is comprised of the five elected officers (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and region representative), the immediate past president, and the five standing committee chairpersons (education, programs, membership, newsletter, and webmaster). Chairs of the special committees (workshops, long distance liason, and hospitality), any other committees specified by the president, are also invited to attend the board meetings, at the president's discretion.
Membership is open to anyone who is interested in needlework. Our chapter members have many needlework interests, including needlepoint, quilting, Hardanger, knitting, crocheting, and tatting, but the primary pursuits of most members are counted cross-stitch and other counted thread techniques such as pulled- and drawn-thread work. Vintage Stitchers members are of all skill levels, from those who have never held a needle to nationally certified teachers. Please do not hesitate to join us because you're an inexperienced stitcher. One of our strongest points is our educational programs. If we do not have a program on a needleart form that you want to learn, you'll be able to get individual help from another member.
Annual dues are $70. This includes national and region dues as well as chapter dues. Dues include a membership handbook, subscription to the bi-monthly chapter newsletter, The Grapevine and subscription to the quarterly national magazine, Needle Arts.
Vintage Stitchers are part of the Greater Pacific Region. Plural members from other chapters within the region pay $26.00 and those outside the region pay $31 annually. Lifetime members pay $31. Junior membership (under 18) is $26.00. Long distance members: add $5 for postage on handouts and birthday project/gift. Dues for international members are $82.
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