On Wednesday night, STITCH stays open late to host a gathering of stitchers, ranging in age from 25 to upwards of 70.

(Some of our projects are in that age range too!) This group of 15-20 regulars — and another 20 or so drop-ins — is comprised of teachers, horsewomen, real estate agents and lenders, retired public servants, lobbyists and professionals, all with a passion for canvas and fiber.

Our new location on Federal Street is all about "the table" and what happens around it. We pick projects, share tips, teach each other stitches, and collaborate on design decisions. Needlepoint can be a relaxing flow activity or a challenging creation of intricate patterns, colors, and textures. It can be about the making of a gift for a friend or the completion of a journey started by stitchers from prior generations. The projects we create on Wednesday nights are truly the results of a team effort.

But needlepoint skills are not all we share. We also celebrate graduations, birthdays and toast the arrival of new grandchildren. We trade stories of our friends and knowledge of what's going on around town. We share opinions and ideas on gardening, etiquette, and politics. It seems we can't get enough time together — there is even a "dinner club" that frequents the local eateries after the stitching winds down.