How To Start a Cross Stitch Club

Here's How:

1. Think about your goals.
   Do you want to start a club that focuses exclusively on Cross Stitch? You may want to broaden the scope of the club and include needlepoint, embroidery or other needle crafts. If you live in a very small town, you may want to include all fabric crafts or even any type of craft.
   
   
2. Search out people who share your interest.
   Create a flyer with content that includes your purpose and gives contact information. Example:

   Love to stitch? Love to socialize? Why not do both? If you are interested in starting a County Needlecraft Club, contact Connie Crossstitch @ 555-xstch or cxstitch@freeemail.com.

   Put up flyers in the craft store, the local retail store, at the library, at the community center, and anywhere else you think appropriate.
   
   
3. Get the word out - Advertise!
   Advertise in the local paper. Many papers offer free advertisements for items of this nature.
   
   
4. Find a place to meet.
   A local recreation facility, a community center, library, or house of worship may have a meeting room you can use for no charge or for a small fee.
   
   
5. Set up an organizational meeting.
   As you begin to hear from people, set up a time to meet. Decide how to structure the club. Will it be a formal organization or an informal gathering? Decide whether to elect officers or have an organizing committee.
   
   
6. Set up a regular schedule for club meetings.
   Evaluate the circumstances of potential club members. You may want to meet weekly or monthly. Choose a time of day based on when the most people can attend. Decide if providing child care is an option or have members rotate this responsibility. Even better – get the kids involved by having a member supervise a craft time with the kids. Other Club activities might include mentoring, craft fairs, and trips to craft festivals or conferences.

Tips:

1. For more information and ideas about starting a Cross Stitch Organization, Kym Duea of the Needlework Guild of Minnesota suggests that you read about the history of the guild and where they are now.