Needlework Show "Thoughts"

by Lucy Lyons Willis

La Chatelaine Designs

         Needlework shows of all kinds are eagerly anticipated each year and invariably many needleworkers ask themselves the question, "Should I enter my needlework?" However too often respond to their own question with "No, my work is not good enough." This question/answer is uttered too numerous times to count and is unfortunate.

         What a competitive lot we are! Realizing that competition is a human characteristic which can be healthy in most cases in life, I still feel strongly that it needs to be kept in check regarding needlework. Yes, it is wonderful to see "winning" examples of work which can inspire us. But is not that the goal of a needlework show ~ to inspire? More often than not, however, the drive behind many people entering needlework shows is to win a ribbon. I remember vivdly a woman coming into my needlework shop one day and very seriously asking for a pattern which would be a "ribbon winner."  Hopefully though, we create and collect our needlearts just as a collector of fine art. A collection of paintings can be priceless but the "gathering" of it is what is known as the "thrill of the hunt." Collectors are constantly gathering every scrap of information they can find ~ so out of the enjoyment of creating the collection it is realized that art is a good investment only when it is bought for the love of it. A former Editor of Antiques Magazine stated, "Arts true purpose is to give you insight and knowledge and perpetual delight. Out of that enjoyment, that passion, that love has come a collection that is in one sense priceless but that is also a good investment because everything has been chosen with care." So, then with our needlework ~ we stitch for the sheer joy it gives us ~ and then are eager to share our work with others through the avenue of needlework shows in the hopes of encouraging new "recruits!"

         As a needlework designer/teacher/judge and former needlework shop owner I have been honored throughout the last 19 years to see a multitude of needlework. Knowing the reason behind each piece being created ~ whether it was stitched as a gift for a loved one, for personal pleasure or a remembrance of a special occasion is a significant aspect of the needlework. And as I have walked through numerous needlework shows throughout the years I have come to believe that the entries are all winners in the sense that they represent each needleworker and their love of stitching. How unfortunate judges are since they have no way of knowing the "background" knowledge of why or how a piece was made ~ for having that knowledge enhances the beauty of a piece of art. One instance comes to mind ~ a dear friend of mine stitched a magnificent altar cloth in hardangersom. It is a masterpiece and did win a blue ribbon ~ but what the judges did not know is that she has Parkinson's Disease ~ and that every stitch was an effort.

         The Swedish painter Carl Larson painted a self-portrait in 1906. It was a fairly simple portrait which at first glance seemed humorous for he was holding a toy clown. Most people who saw it at that time did not think much of it and were even critical of it for its simplicity. However, ultimately they realized that it was painted just after his eldest son had suddenly died. They were then able to look deeper into it ~ past the simple lines and color, and share his very sorrow.

         Please enter your needlework in the needlework shows throughout the years. The only way to learn is through example, and we can only have examples through sharing.

         Of course a ribbon is fun to win. There have been times I have won and times I have not. Quite frankly though, what greater "ribbon" can there be than the inspiration and excitement your piece of needlework can surely give to at least one person. Isn't that worth it? I think it is.

Lucy Lyons Willis

"That is life, good and bad. We have to live it and live it as well as possible. You all know that as well as I do, but in order not to despair we must always call encouragement to another and say, 'What nice weather we are having today!' Now we see that the good and the beautiful really do exist."

~Carl Larson