Nelly's Needlers to Hold Children's Needlework Workshop

If you have a child interested in needlework, still has space available in their summer camp.

The workshop will be held July 30 to Aug. 3 for $100. The program is run entirely by volunteers and the payment goes toward supplies. Children ages 9 to 15 can take classes in needlepoint, counted threat, hand-sewing and crewel.

“The purpose is to encourage the young people of today with an interest in needlework so they will keep with it as they grow up,” coordinator Kay McQuie said.

The deadline for the 32nd annual workshop sign-up is July 10. The camp takes a small group of children with no more than 24 campers each year and is held at .

Julie Al-Saadawi’s daughter Noora attended the camp for eight summers. She said Noora loved art and wanted to try needlework.

“Noora loved the encouragement and nurturing that Nelly’s provided,” Al-Saadawi said. “She was very proud of her work.”

The camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and campers bring their own lunch each day. Children work on projects which are later taken home.

The camp is run by Nelly’s Needlers, which is a service organization that supports Woodlawn. George Washington gave the property to Nelly Custis Lewis, his step-granddaughter, who was an avid stitcher.

“Since Nelly herself was a stitcher, 30 years ago somebody decided preserving stitching was important and you have to teach kids to stitch,” McQuie said. 

Those interested in signing up can contact nellysneedlers@gmail.com.