The Guild runs Stitch Alongs

A Stitch Along is a community embroidery event in which everyone works through the same ambitious pattern together, week by week, at their own pace, in the company of over 7,000 people doing exactly the same thing. The Guild has been running Stitch Alongs since the early days of Ravenscroft. They have involved deadly plants, toxic plants, plants whose names required Dr Anne Pemberton's botanical expertise to verify, a gothic market that operates exclusively after dark, a Victorian manor under a full moon, and Van Gogh's Starry Night rendered in a full coverage colour blackwork technique that had never existed before Urban Stitches made it exist.

Each one has been chaos in the best possible sense. The Guild would not have it any other way.

The current SALs are Starry Night, Victorian Tiles (free and available on Facebook) and Blackwell's End (available on Patreon). New initiates are welcome at any stage.

Join Starry NightBrowse all SALs

WHAT IS A STITCH ALONG?

A Stitch Along (SAL) is a multi-week stitching project released in sections over time. The Guild issues new pattern sections weekly or fortnightly, allowing stitchers to work at a measured pace alongside the community.

The Guild has conducted eight major SALs, including Memento Mori (Grand Honours), Starry Night (Grand Honours, ongoing), and six completed SALs available for purchase.

HOW TO JOIN

Purchase from the store to receive:

  • Access to all pattern sections as they release
  • All previously released sections (if joining mid-SAL)
  • Lifetime access to the complete pattern
  • SAL release notifications via email

Your access never expires. If you fall behind, the patterns remain available. The Guild does not revoke access.

RECEIVE YOUR PATTERNS

Ongoing SAL: New sections delivered via email and accessible from your account

Join partway through: Immediate access to all previous sections + future releases

Completed SAL: Receive the complete pattern immediately

You may catch up at your own pace. The Guild does not judge stitching speed.

STITCH ALONG (OPTIONAL)

The Guild maintains a dedicated Facebook group for each SAL where participants share progress and mutual encouragement.

Joining is optional. You receive all patterns whether or not you join Facebook. The Guild respects solitary stitchers.

EMAIL DELIVERY

New sections are sent from stitchalong@urbanstitches.co.uk

Not receiving emails?

  1. Check spam/junk/promotions folders
  2. Whitelist stitchalong@urbanstitches.co.uk
  3. Add to contacts

If emails still don't arrive, contact stitchalong@urbanstitches.co.uk with your order number.

Dave sends the emails. Steve does not send emails. Steve has been told he sends emails. Steve is not permitted near the email system.

SCHEDULES AND TIMING

Each SAL has its own schedule (weekly or fortnightly releases). Most include planned breaks for catch-up time.

The schedule is a release timeline, not a stitching requirement. Work ahead, fall behind, or stitch at your own pace.

FABRIC AND COLOURS

Fabric

Each SAL includes fabric sizing recommendations based on stitch count and finished dimensions. You may use any fabric you prefer.

Colours

Most SALs allow colour flexibility. Use the Guild's suggested DMC colours or substitute your own.

Some SALs require specific colours for visual accuracy (e.g., Memento Mori reproduces a Victorian painting and needs exact colours). The Guild indicates when specific colours are necessary.

Each SAL includes a complete floss list with DMC numbers and approximate quantities at the start.

LEARNING RESOURCES

New to blackwork?

The Guild supports stitchers of all skill levels.

SAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATES

Complete a SAL and submit a photo to receive a Guild SAL Completion Certificate.

Email photo to lovelypeople@urbanstitches.co.uk with subject "SAL Completion - [SAL Name]"

Digital certificate issued within 3-5 business days. Contributes to your Guild rank progression.

Learn more about Guild ranks →

Stitch Alongs

1 8

Log in to Membership Areas

1 6

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I fall behind?

Nothing happens. Patterns don't disappear. Work at your own pace.

Can I join after a SAL has started?

Yes. You get all previous sections immediately.

Can I buy a SAL after it's finished?

Yes. You receive the complete pattern with lifetime access.

Do I need Facebook?

Facebook is optional. You receive patterns via email regardless unless it is a Facebook exclusive release, it will become available for purchase on the website afterwards.

Can I stitch multiple SALs at once?

Yes. The Guild does not limit participation.

Can I take a break?

Yes. Your access never expires.

  • CURRENT SALS

    Active: Starry Night (Grand Honours) - Purchase

    Completed: Browse All Completed SALs

    NEED HELP?

    Email: stitchalong@urbanstitches.co.uk

    Response Time: 24-48 hours (Monday-Friday)

    Dave handles SAL enquiries. Margaret maintains SAL records. Steve has been told he handles SAL support. Steve handles nothing related to SALs.

    Written instructions: Learning to Stitch

    The Guild takes Stitch Alongs seriously. Join a SAL. Stitch something extraordinary.

    INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

    Demonstrates basic blackwork stitching, backstitch, reading patterns, and thread tension.

Learn Blackwork Techniques