TEXARKANA, Texas - If you've ever wanted to learn the stitching basics, don't procrastinate and go visit the Museum of Regional History on Saturday for Cross Stitch Corner: An Introduction to the Art of Cross Stitch.
Presented by the Texarkana Museums System, the workshop will cover all the basic cross-stitching moves. The TMS' Melissa McKinney will lead cross-stitching lessons running from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
"It's going to be an interactive workshop. I'm going to explain to them a little about cross-stitch, like there are five basic stitches," McKinney said. She'll discuss the thread and fabric to use with supplies there for participants to practice.
"And essentially take something home with them that they worked on that they did," McKinney said. "It's not just going to be me standing up there talking and explaining this to them. I'm going to actually show them how to do this and allow them to kind of practice."
McKinney's been cross-stitching since she was 10 years old, so she has expertise to share.
"The first thing that I would say that would be good for somebody who's just beginning is to get a cross-stitch kit, and that's going to have everything they need," she recommended to budding cross-stitch enthusiasts.
She'll teach counted cross-stitch. There's also stamped cross-stitch, which basically already has the picture ready-made for the learner. She'll have a design for participants to work from during the workshop.
"I'm going to make some instructions, too, that they can take home with them if it's something that they want to continue to do, so they can have that as a reference," McKinney said.
There's no particular theme for March that this workshop follows, but it continues the TMS quest to present events that get the community out and participating.
"We're always trying to get people to get out, to kind of unplug a little bit, interact face to face and not just look at their phones or computer screens or something like that," McKinney said.
"Don't be afraid to try something new," she said, noting everyone participating will be in the same boat. It's also a chance to learn a passtime that might come in handy. After all, for McKinney cross-stitching is a way to unwind, clear her mind and relax after a long or difficult day. And who doesn't need some of that?
"We're all going to learn together," McKinney said.
(Admission is $5 per person, free for Texarkana Museums System members. Reservations are suggested but not required; make them at TexarkanaMuseums.org/Events or call 903-793-4831. The Museum of Regional History is located at 219 Pine St.)