2026 Woodlawn Needlework Show

March 1 - April 5, 2027

Closed on Tuesdays

New in 2027: Open for five weeks!

Registration and Mail-In Dates

  • Registration Opens: November 2, 2026

  • Registration Closes: January 24, 2027

  • Mail-in Deadline: January 15, 2027 (entries must be received by this date)

  • Public Intake: January 22, 23, and 24, 2027 (10:00am - 3:00pm)

Register Here

First time Entrant? Need a Refresher? Read through this first:

EXHIBITING INFORMATION

IS MY PIECE ELIGIBLE?
The Needlework Show is judged, but not juried. We look forward to including a variety of pieces at all levels. 

REQUIREMENTS:
Each entry must be the work of a living person, stitched with hand-held, threaded needle, and appropriately finished. Unfortunately, any items entered previously, as well as crocheted, knitted, macramé, woven and hooked items are NOT eligible.

JUDGING:
Each entry will be classified and judged by Division first, Category second, then by Technique. Entrants must include their classification on their submission form. Woodlawn and its judges reserve the right to reclassify entries, if appropriate.

Click here to read the criteria that the judges use in critiquing each piece and determining award winners.

CLASSIFICATIONS

DIVISIONS

Adult: For stitchers 18 years and over 

Senior: For stitchers 70 years and over 

Junior: Three divisions: up to 9 years; 10 to 13 years; and 14 to 17 years

CATEGORIES

ORIGINAL DESIGN:
A design which is solely the creation of the stitcher’s mind and hand. Changing threads, thread colors, the ground fabric or other changes to a commercial design do not make the piece an original by the stitcher.  A brief artist’s statement must accompany the piece to be included in judging as an original design. This statement is read to the judges as they view your piece, and should describe your design process, inspiration, challenges, etc. .  

ADAPTATION DESIGN:
A design whose source is a medium different than needlepoint. The inspiration could from a painting, a photograph* or other source. A scanned image or photograph of the source material must accompany the piece to be included in judging as an adaptation design. Changing threads, thread colors, the ground fabric or other changes are not adaptations to a commercial design.

*If the stitcher has staged the image and taken the photograph as part of their design process, this would be considered an original design.

COMMERCIAL DESIGN:
A design created by someone other than the stitcher. It may be a chart, painted canvas, or printed graph. It may come from a kit or a class project. Changing threads, thread colors, the ground fabric or other changes are not considered an original work by the stitcher.

Techniques

Read more about the Techniques here

  • Beadwork

  • Canvaswork

  • Counted Thread

  • Surface Embroidery

  • Fine Hand Sewing

  • Needle Lace

  • Quilting (due to space constraints, we have a perimeter limit of 144 inches)

  • Smocking

COST OF ENTERING A PIECE

*PLEASE NOTE* Entry fees INCREASE after January 15, 2027. Register your pieces before this date for savings!

Adult (18+) entry fee:
$20.00 for first piece, $16.00 for any additional pieces. This cost increases to $30 for first piece, $26 for additional pieces after January 15, 2027.

Junior (under 18) entry fee:
$10.00 for first piece, $8.00 for any additional piece. This cost increases to $20 for first piece, $18 for additional pieces after January 15, 2027.

Sets of multiple pieces:
$30.00 flat fee for 2+ items in a set, $25 flat fee for additional sets of multiple pieces. This cost increases to $40 for first set of multiple pieces, $35 for additional sets of multiple pieces.

  •   If you are entering a set of items, all components must be thematically related to each other. The pieces will be judged as a set, not individually.

Payments will be taken by credit card through the online form. Refunds will only be issued on a case by case basis.‍ ‍

Entrants receive one free admission to the Show (a $20 value). You will receive a code to use for our online ticketing system, OR you may check-in at the ticketing desk as an entrant.

Insurance coverage is the responsibility of the owner/depositor.

SUBMITTING YOUR WORK

Entries to the Show must be submitted through the online form. Once the form is completed, please plan to deliver your piece by mail, through a designated needlework shop or gallery, or in person.

Read these instructions carefully to ensure the safe delivery and return of your piece:

  • Each entry should be accompanied by a printed confirmation email, no matter the submission method.

  • All entries must remain at Woodlawn for the duration of the exhibition.

  • Entries requiring hanging must be wired. No sawtooth or other hanging devices can be accepted due to the historic nature of our house walls.

  • Submitted pieces will be returned only to the depositor unless Woodlawn is notified in writing to the contrary.

  • Storage fees of $10 per day are applied for any item(s) remaining on the property beyond pick-up dates.

Submitting Through a Guild

Please check with your Guild/Chapter contact for their drop off deadline.

Check with your local shop, group, or guild before you go to ensure they are accepting entries for drop-off. In Stitches will NOT accept walk-in registrations. They are ONLY handling the mail-in entries.

Needlework shops, groups, and guilds with group entries must make arrangements for bringing in multiple entries. Please call or text Deb Kempton at 703-989-1222 to schedule an appointment for drop off of entries. Pick up appointment will be scheduled during the drop off process.

ENTRIES BY MAIL

Entries must ARRIVE by January 15, 2027 - No exceptions

  • In Stitches Needlework will process all mail-in entries. They must be sent in strong, reusable containers, which can be mailed through a trackable service (no stamps) and insured by your carrier of choice. Mail-in entries must to be accompanied by the submission confirmation emails, a pre-paid return mailing label, and any insurance fees.

  • All mail-in entries will be out of entrants possession from the date they are mailed in until they are returned in mid April.

  • Send all mail-ins to the address below:

    In Stitches Needlework
    8800 F Pear Tree Village Court
    Alexandria, VA 22309

    (ALL mail-in entries must be sent to this address. Please do NOT mail to the Woodlawn historic site)

In Stitches will NOT accept walk-in registrations. They are ONLY handling the mail-in entries.

Individual walk-in entries must be brought to Woodlawn from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm on one of the following dates:

  • Friday, January 22, 2027

  • Saturday, January 23, 2027

  • Sunday, January 24, 2027

    Walk-in entries will not be processed at In Stitches.


All entrants must complete an online submission form before dropping off the pieces. Please have the submission confirmation with your item(s).

RETURN OF ENTRIES

All needlework pieces can be picked up by individuals or shops, guilds, and groups from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm on:

  • Friday, April 9, 2027

  • Saturday, April 10, 2027

  • Sunday, April 11, 2027

Please bring your pink slip from drop off. If someone else will be picking up your piece please contact needlework@savingplaces.org for coordination.

Woodlawn will not hold submitted entries past these dates without approved in advance. Any needlework picked up later than the last day of pick up is subject to a $10/day storage fee. Any pieces not picked up one week after the last pick up date will be considered abandoned.

Questions?