October 2025
Program and Workshops
Cynthia Gossage
The Artist:
Cynthia Gossage started stitching with her mother when she was 8 years old. She began quilting in her early 20’s. After teaching nutrition at Prince Geoge’s Community College for 30 happy years she switched gears and began teaching hand stitching. Since 2020, she’s been teaching hand stitching courses at Prince George’s Community College, Howard Community College, and Art Works Now.
She facilitates one- and two-day workshops for the Hyattsville Fiber Arts Guild and Quilters Unlimited McLean Chapter. She teaches private and small groups in-person. She teaches traditional American hand piecing, quilting, and embroidery. She also teaches a wide range of international stitching techniques including bojagi (Korea), boro (Japan), Hawaiian, kantha (Southeast India and Bangladesh), kawandi (Southwest India), mola (Panama), Manx (Isle of Man), pa n’dao (Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam), and sashiko (Japan).
Guild Meeting/Program: Introduction to Sashiko Stitching
Sashiko (Japan), like so many stitching traditions has its roots in frugality and the need to extend the useful life of clothing as long as possible. It is ancient and likely arose from the simpler technique of boro (Japan), in which homespun, handwoven, and hand-dyed indigo fabrics were layered and reinforced with running stitches in white thread. This gradually evolved into precisely placed running stitches forming geometric and stylized figurative motifs. Many of these motifs hold specific meanings of protection, courage, and prosperity. In this program we will walk through the history and development of the art form, and the range of typical motifs.
Date/Time: October 11, 2025 10:30 AM (following Guild meeting)
Location: St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
Mini Workshop: Hitomezashi Sashiko
Sashiko is deceptive! To the casual viewer, it is just white thread on blue fabric. To those who can sew, it’s just running stitches. A closer examination reveals that it is – as is often so typical in Japan – exceptionally precise! It is this precision that produces the understated gentle beauty of the work.
In this mini workshop, you will learn how to measure and mark your fabric, form the running stitch as sashiko stitchers do, and to secure thread starts and ends. You will stitch 1 – 4 hitomezashi (“one stitch”) patterns, each of which would be appropriate to finish as patches, coasters or tiny stand-alone art works.
All Guild members are welcome, regardless of hand stitching experience! We will address every skill required for success. Beginners need not worry about feeling lost, while experienced hand stitchers can look forward to the challenge of this timeless, meditative art form.
Date/Time: October 11, 2025 1:00 to 5:00 PM
Location: PFAG Studio: 11810 Parklawn Dr Suite 204 #11, Rockville, MD 20852
Mini Workshop Fee: Members: $80 Non-Members: $115
Student’s Materials Fee: $25
Student Supply List:
All needed supplies will be in the kit
Extended Workshop: Exploring Sashiko Patterns
Sashiko is at least 500 years old. There has been plenty of time to develop a wide range of motifs. Over two, half-day sessions, you will explore some of this range, and you will learn how to draft patterns, stitch curves, corners, and intersections. You will set up and stitch 4 – 8 small pieces that can be finished as stand-alone art, incorporated into other textiles, or added to clothing.
All Guild members are welcome, regardless of hand stitching experience. I will address every skill required for success. Beginners need not worry about feeling lost and experienced hand stitchers can look forward to the
challenge of this timeless, meditative art form.
Date/Time: October 12-13, 2025 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: PFAG Studio: 11810 Parklawn Dr Suite 204 #11, Rockville, MD 20852
Workshop Fee: Members: $160 Non-Members: $200
Student’s Materials Fee: $30
