AKRON – Professional needleworkers and casual admirers alike can enjoy the intricate projects displayed at Stitchery Showcase, April 26-29 at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.
While professional needle workers and quilters like the 197 members of the Stan Hywet Needlework Guild have an intimate knowledge of the effort required to complete the projects they see at Stitchery Showcase, those who do not have the patience to tackle even the simplest needlework project can also learn to appreciate the intricate handiwork.
There are five categories for entries: counted thread, canvas, surface stitchery, multimedia and quilting. At least 50 percent of all work must be hand sewn.
Some projects such as quilts require so much time to complete, stitchers choose to either reduce the size of the piece so that they can participate every year or opt to enter a full-size quilt in the showcase every other year.
Prize appeal.
The public can also enter to won prizes. Tickets can be purchased either in advance or at the event for $1 each or six tickets for $5.
The first of three prizes is a queen-size Ohio Star Mosaic quilt in a variety of reds, blues and greens made from an original design that appeared in the February 2000 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. The quilt took more than 20 people and several weeks to complete.
Another prize is “Baby Irene Rose,” a weighted, life-size Middleton baby doll. She comes with a full-size, handmade cherry-wood cradle complete with mattress, hand-embroidered linens and a doll-sized shadow quilt.
A French christening gown created for the doll with shadow embroidery and matching slip, took more than 150 hours of labor to hand stitch. Her wardrobe includes a number of smocked outfits.
The final fund-raising prize is a cherry-wood musical jewelry box that plays the theme to Phantom of the Opera. Its lid is decorated with a three-dimensional needlepoint technique called stump work. Inside the box is a beaded amulet bag, which took no less than 45 hours of handiwork to create.
Admission.
Tickets for Stitchery Showcase are $4 for general admission and free for Stan Hywet members. Advance tickets are available.
All proceeds are donated to the Stan Hywet Textile Fund, which helps support the upkeep and restoration of the fabrics and textiles in the Stan Hywet collection.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is located at 714 N. Portage Path in Akron, Ohio. For more information call 330-836-5533 or visit www.stanhywet.org.
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The Stan Hywet Needlework Guild will also present a workshop in conjunction with Stitchery Showcase.
This year, Pat Cermak, guild member and local designer, will teach a ‘Triple Tweet” workshop April 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again on April 28.
The design Cermak created for the workshop is a trio of birdhouses stitched on blue congress cloth. Various stitches will be used, including French knots, Scotch stitch, basket weave, satin stitch and couching.
The workshop fee of $40 includes materials, lunch and admission to Stitchery Showcase.
Reservations are required for the workshop; call 330-836-5533.
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