Sitting at a portable needlepoint stand, Libby DeFazio worked on a pillow top with little or no stress to her back.

"It's so nice to have the right equipment," said DeFazio, further explaining that the stand, which swivels left and right, was created by a man whose wife did needlepoint.

DeFazio, a member of the Sun Stitchers chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild, was attending the monthly guild meeting at Trinity United Methodist Church, where members bring their projects to work on and enjoy the fellowship, ideas and expertise of others who needlepoint.

"For me needlepoint is very satisfying now that I have time since I retired. It makes for a great hobby," said DeFazio.

"We get to work with a variety of fibers like silks, rayon and cottons, to name a few, all pleasing to the touch."

The local chapter has been in existence for 18 years, with more than 70 registered members, and still maintains a few of the original members.

"What we are now facing is the threat of needlepoint becoming a lost art," said guild president Shirley Kerns.

"Needlepoint is normally associated with the older generation, something your grandmothers did."

This statement brought on an onslaught of stories being told of needlepoint items found packed away in closets, hope chests and boxes of deceased relatives by the members, who never "dropped a stitch" as they continued to work on their needlepoint projects.

"We are encouraging anyone to join the guild," Kerns said. "A person doesn't even have to know how to needlepoint; we have a buddy system that will help beginners.

"We are also looking to get in touch with young groups like Girl Scouts to teach them the art of needlepoint both as a community project and to help promote the art."

Currently the guild is working on a community project for the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

"Ten years ago our guild restored and restitched two chairs for Ca d'Zan at the John and Mable winter home on the grounds of the Ringling Museum," explained Marian Morton, who is in charge of the project with Ringling.

"We also created needlepoint kits that feature a portion of the chair design to be sold in the gift shop benefitting Ringling. We are now creating new kits to be sold, again all for the benefit of Ringling."

Each month the guild either has a guest speaker or an educational program to inspire the members.

Lucinda Hathaway was the guest speaker at this month's Sun Stitchers meeting.

Highlighting her talk on the art of needlepoint and her new book "'Round the World" was a wall hanging she had made through needlepoint, featuring a map of the world with 155 animals, a replica of a design by Elizabeth Bradley from England.

"I even stitched in my cat, Tashi, in the left-hand corner," said Hathaway.

Through needlepoint, Morton said, "we create one-of-a-kind gifts like shadow boxes, purses, pillows or Christmas ornaments, which is one of the best benefits of all."