Do we stop and think as stitchers how we can promote needlepoint? Many of us certainly stitch many places, but how often do we think outside the box about finding new stitchers?
That’s especially important for shops and designers. That’s why we all should take a lesson from Wool & Willow’s booth at the Republican Convention this week (no matter what you think about politics).
They were there. They showed off needlepoint. Now maybe they mostly sold to people who already stitched, but how many of those delegates when home will pass a needlepoint store and will stop by because it’s not strange?
That’s how thinking outside the box ripples in the pond of our lives.
I knew a woman who did this with a vengeance. Her family was deeply involved in showing horses and at every show she stitched on needlepoint belts. She turned many people onto needlepoint because they saw her and said “I like that. I can do that!”
I want to challenge you all to take stitching to a different place. Can you stitch in public at the local mall? Take easy appealing projects. Does your town have local parades, fairs, or community events? Get some stitching friends together and do some demos. Is there a place with farm or pioneer days? Could you participate? Can you teach a class? Can you stitch at your kids events or demonstrate needlepoint there?
By taking our stitching out if our homes and into unexpected places we can grow our stitching community.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Leave a Reply