What is American needlework? Does it begin with Betsy Ross’s flag, or is the United States made from more than one cloth?
Looking ahead to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, we are thinking of the many origin stories of Americans and the ever-present role of needlework. The Puritans and George Washington may come to mind as the quintessential American beginning, but waves of immigrant and indigenous Americans join in the tapestry over hundreds of years.
Left: Barkcloth (kapa moe) from the Hawaiian Islands, late nineteenth century (M.2010.106). Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, lacma.org. Right: Kahili ‘o King Kalakaua quilt by Hanna Ku´umililani Cummings Baker. The motif is a symbol of the ali‘i (royal) chiefs and families of the Hawaiian Islands.Collection of Eileen Lee.
In the Spring 2026 issue, PieceWork is looking for the stories of needlework early in American life. Does your family story include knitted mittens for a first Midwestern winter or needlework brought through an immigration center? What can we learn about indigenous cultures from Pueblo weavings or Hawaiian quilts? What histories are stitched in story cloths?
Sampler stitched in 1791 by Rebeckah Munro, a student in Mary Balch’s school in Providence, Rhode Island. The Metropolitan Mueum of Art says, “[Students such as Munro] were the first generation of women to grow up in America’s new independent republic at a time when post-Revolutionary women were considered to have an important influence on educating their children to be the future leaders of the new Republic—a role known as ‘Republican Motherhood.’” Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
For this issue, we hope to tell personal stories as well as scholarly ones. From pre-colonial to contemporary eras, we aim to present an expansive portrait of needlework in America.
We welcome submissions from experienced stitchers, enthusiastic beginners, and researchers passionate about textiles.
We are looking for:
- Feature articles—Tell us more about the history of needlework through stories, profiles, and biographies.
- Historical and historically inspired projects—instructions using bobbin lace, tatting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, or other needlework techniques, all made by hand.
- How-to articles—tell us how a historical needlework technique is done.
We are also always looking for content for our website. If you have an idea for a short piece, about 300 to 500 words, please submit your proposal to us.
Forms and information:
Online Submissions Form PieceWork Spring 2026
PieceWork Contributor’s Guidelines
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Submissions due: April 21, 2025
We will notify you of our decision: May 15, 2025
If selected, finished articles and projects are due by July 28, 2025
Do you want to be added to the PieceWork Call for Submissions email list? Sign up here.