This morning I have a very important message from a reader, which we need to take to heart. Here is what Sharon D. has to say.
"I read with a great deal of sadness about yet another needlepoint shop closing. Every few months or so, you sadly report the demise of another shop and the owner's dreams.
I do think the needlepoint community has some hand in this. I have been thinking about writing to you about this for a long time.
It has been my observation that the projects that are featured and getting all the attention on the various blogs are gorgeous works of art. I love looking at them and dreaming of the days when I would have been able to stitch something comparable and wishing I still could hold a needle in my hand.
However, they are almost always for the advanced stitcher. They employ complicated techniques and stitches. I am sure anyone who did not know about needlepoint and the joys of stitching would be totally overwhelmed by them and decide not to even give it a try.
In one blog sometime ago you dismissed an article about needlepoint in the NYTimes that showed a simple canvas with just tent stitches and humphed that there was so much more to needlepoint than that. Of course, you are correct about that. But think of the beginner.
I have looked at a number of NP shop websites and almost nowhere is there listed a class for beginners. The needlepoint community has gotten so wound up in creating more and more elaborate stitching that the future of this craft/art is going to be lost. The NP community needs to look to the future and make sure that the next generations are going to be able to continue with this wonderful art form.
Needlepoint and quilting came back out of the shadows at about the same time in the early '70s. I didn't know about the quilting but started stitching with enthusiasm back then. Now NP is a dying art, in my humble opinion, and quilting is thriving. Why? The quilting community has made a serious commitment to teach the next generation of quilters the joy of creating quilts. Every quilt shop has classes for beginners. There are videos available on the Internet on how to start making quilts. There are very easy patterns and instructions available. Beginners are welcomed and recruited. There are two sewing/quilting shows on PBS right now. I am aware of this because I have been making quilts for about 18 years.
Alas, the NP community seems to have gotten so caught up in making the next amazing creation that it appears no thought has been given as to how to recruit and teach beginners and ensure that the next generation will carry this art form forward.
I live in a suburb. In this whole area, which has a population of probably about 500,000, there is one tiny, and I mean tiny needlepoint/knitting shop. It is about 300 square feet and carries a very limited supply of threads and canvases. At least half of it is devoted to knitting. I think this is rather typical of a great deal of the country.
Long ago when I traveled, the first thing I did was look in the phone book for NP shops. I usually found one no matter where I was. That was how I met Loretta Spears. I can't do that anymore.
Anyway, that is my two cents. My favorite possessions are my NP pieces. They are the first things I would grab if the house caught on fire. So I am sad to watch this wonderful art slowly dying.
You are a very well known and influential person in the NP world. Please spread the word that new stitchers are desperately needed to carry on this tradition."
Sharon D.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
14 comments:
While I can certainly appreciate the guest writer's views, and agree with some, I actually think needlepoint is experiencing something of a renaissance. Yes, the projects that show up on the blogs, Facebook, and websites are typically the more advanced, more fantastical type of thing. Stores and designers want to push the limits of what this craft can be. A beautiful pillow, in tent stitch, while very typical of the average stitcher's output, isn't very interesting from a "new media" standpoint. Likewise, basic, beginner classes aren't very exciting additions to a stores website or newsletter, but that doesn't mean they aren't being offered. I sincerely doubt there is a store still open that doesn't either have on-going, constant beginner classes, or even better, considers it an open-door policy for any beginner to sit down and get one on one instruction. As the best form of advertising available to stores, blogs, newsletters, Facebook, etc. are best used to show someone how far they can go with a craft and not just where they begin. I do think there is a troubling trend within the industry that everything has to be done with an elaborate stitch guide, or with your hand being held by one of the extremely talented teachers working today. For many people, the journey is more important than the destination, and they aren't as concerned with finishing. I, however, love to live with the fruits of my labors, so I enjoy getting that box back from the finisher. I think that the demise of many stores is far less a function of promoting complicated projects than of the hard realities of running a smal business in a very tough economy. In the past, overhead wasn't as big an issue, and frankly, you had a large number of what I call "hobby stores." Owned and operated by talents people who weren't that concerned with the bottom line. Store owners now need to be serious business people, with a sharp eye on everything. With this increased intensity, you've had some natural attrition.
Don't get me wrong...I very sharply realize that we as an industry very often don't focus on the future, and at times assume everything should be done as it always has been. That's not going to cut it, and we do need to constantly come up with ways to reach out to the next generation. I can't, however, believe that future stitcher's are turned away by seeing elaborate, intricate, and fascinating projects. I'm pretty sure most of them have learned to ride a bike, and they might remember starting with training wheels.
Very well put and necessary as shops are closing all over and we need to encouage new stitchers or our art will die.
A big big piece of the problem is that our economic environment is not one that favors or helps the small business. This will continue to be the case.
I think Sharon D. makes some valid points. In our quest to create fabulous works of art, we tend to ignore the beginner and focus on advanced techniques. However, I also believe that needlepoint fell by the wayside years ago because of its limited selections in both canvases, threads and enthusiasm. When friends learn that I'm a needlepointer, it often comes with giggles and comments like "that's what my grandmother did". However, when they see something I've made with different stitches and fibers that's a far cry from a piano bench cover (not that there's anything wrong with that), they change their tune.
As with any small, independent business these days, you have to appeal to your customers and continually turn over inventory so the ones who come in weekly/monthly have new things to see, be challenged by and purchase. You can't lose their interest, they're your cash cow. However, by ignoring the beginner, many shops are doing a disservice to needlepoint and the hand-craft industry. I've said it before and it bears repeating, loading up a new stitcher with lots of different threads, beads, various other embellishments, tossing them a stitch guide and sending them on their way is not only going to frustrate them and turn them away, but you're losing a potential customer and [hopefully] another cash cow.
Many shops have beginner classes and many offer regular stitch and chat sessions. But a beginner sitting with a group of advanced stitchers can either feel intimidated or challenged. The point here is to make everyone feel like they're creating the next Mona Lisa and devote the same amount of enthusiasm and attention to each stitcher.
I love to stitch with lots of different stitches and textures - a project that engulfs me with its complexity. But, my heart still goes back to basketweave and the simplicity of taking a project with me wherever I go and one which tells a story of that time.
I think it is important to attract beginning stitchers with simpler projects and expose them to more complicated ones. However, I think there is a second issue. It seems that the cost of projects continues to rise. Threads have become very expensive and cheaper alternatives such as floss are not offered. As a new stitcher. I would not start with some of the expensive projects due to cost. I was in a shop in San Francisco and a very simple canvas for over $300.
Jamie Reft
I think we also need to look at the cost for so many projects. I have been stitching for years and the price to complete a painted canvas it going through the roof - by the time you add the canvas price, threads, and any finishing (framing, pillows, or whatever) you are looking at easily several hundred dollars or more. That doesn't include the class you may have taken to work out ideas on it or maybe the stitch guide or basic supplies like needles. It gets to the point where I find it depressing and my want list just gets longer as I know money like that needs to go elsewhere in our family budget. The cost seem to have grown astronomically compared to other things.
My LNS offers beginner and advanced beginner classes. They offer multiple stitch and chat sessions during the week. The stitchers running these sessions make all participants feel welcome. They will show stitchers various stitch, thread and embellishment options but if stiticher just wants to do basketweave they do not push their visions. From my own experience, I did a two sided Meslissa Shirley angel topper in basketweave because that was my comfort zone. However, watching other stitchers during the stitch and chat sessions doing other stitches led me to try and use decorative stitches on projects that followed the tree topper
Meredith
I would like to chime in as a beginner. As a teenager I did cross-stitching but put it away long ago. I have done extensive quilting as well and know that what the writer says is true. Quilt stores advertise boldly their beginning classes.
Recently (about a month ago) my aunt passed away and left me all of her embroidery supplies. I never thought seriously about embroidery until then. I'd seen her working all my life but never thought I would want to do the same thing.
For the last month I have found WONDERFUL resources on the web for embroidery. Beautiful patterns and how-to videos. I felt sure I could pick up a needle and thread and start working. After all, I've cross-stitched, I've quilted, I've sewn my own clothes and costumes. I'm not a novice to crafts and what it takes to make a project work. Alas, not so with embroidery. I have many questions with no where to ask. The internet is a great place to get information, that is true. But my questions are of an interactive/conversational nature. And blogs just aren't conductive to getting answers. You post a question but don't get answers, either because the answer isn't easy to type out or there are so many comments the question gets lost. I can't find a needlepoint store anywhere within 30 miles of my home, much less classes on embroidery for the beginner. It is very frustrating.
I haven't given up yet. I WILL find a store even if I have to roam further. But the author of this letter does have a very valid point. It is a lot tougher for someone to just start learning embroidery than many other crafts.
Dian, I am here. Just email me at chillyhollow at hot mail dot com and tell me what state you are in and what sort of embroidery you are specifically interested in doing. Meanwhile, do you know about EGA? That's the Embroider's Guild of America, which has chapters all over and plenty of online classes, too. First, explore their website. They love all sorts of embroidery, including needlepoint which is my first love.
http://www.egausa.org
Sorry, I can't make links live in comments but you can copy/paste the above into a new window. Go to Membership and look at the chapters to see if there is one near you. They also have a cyber chapter called Cyber Stitchers for folks who can't make the meetings for whatever reason of local chapters.
Don't forget to let me know what you want to learn so I can point you to resources besides EGA. Jane, waving from Chilly Hollow (not near anything, sigh)
Jane, I have been concerned about this issue for years. Primarily because of self-interest as a shopowner. The internet has both a positive and negative influence on needlepoint shops. It is a good resource for merchandise availability. But there are artists who will sell directly to customers. My local book store has a sign of both of its doors--"Find it here, Buy it here, Keep me here."
Also, often shops present an intimidating atmospher to newcomers. Some experienced stitchers like this atmosphere of a "private club".
I wish Dian (the previous commenter) would tell us her home area so we can suggest the closest shops for her. Or she can check in with the TNNA (The National Needlearts Association) on line to find shops closeby. Shopowners would love to help.
While the industry may be undergoing a renaissance, that does not mean that it is attracting a new, younger stitching crowd. There is no one that could be called young at my ANG meeting. I have never worked a painted canvas because of the cost involved, and no one appears to be interested in helping me learn how to choose and work stitches. No one at my ANG is interested in beginners things. Beginners are sort of treated with contempt. What does this say for the future of this art?
I agree with Sharon's letter and hope that is taken to heart by the people in this industry who can begin to work toward reaching out to a new generation of stitchers.
Good point, Mary Agnes! I'd forgotten TNNA has a shop listing! Dian, TNNA is the trade organization for knitting, cross stitch, needlepoint, counted canvas work businesses. Not all shops belong but the ones that do are serious about their business. Here's the link to their shop directory to help you find a shop in your area.
http://www.tnna.org/search/custom.asp?id=113
I agree and this is why I do much more counted canvas. A painted canvas is a treat if I can find it on sale. Counted work - well, I can do it in DMC, even if the creator called for fancier stuff
So many things to say in response to this discussion. First, I am fortunate enough to live within an hour from five NP shops. Each shop has strengths and weaknesses, which aren't relevant to the discussion here. But every one of those shops is happy to have a beginner walk through the doors and take up a needle. I've seen them sit a nonstitcher down with a bit of blank canvas and introduce them to basketweave. And from there, sell them their first canvas and some threads. So I don't think it is a matter of the classes and instruction not being available. I think it is just that the websites don't advertise what many shops consider a courtesy.
I am also a quilter. And, yes, quilt shops advertise their beginning classes. You cannot teach someone the basics of making a quilt in five minutes, but you can teach a person to basketweave in five minutes. Sometimes, the prep work for a quilt takes as long as piecing it does. And it is a slightly less expensive hobby than needlepointing is. Most quilters can do all the steps in making a quilt. They may chose to send it out for quilting, but they don't have to.
Sadly, with needlepoint, most of us can't do the finishing on our pieces. And that can be a real turnoff. I can stitch canvases to my heart's content, but if I don't have the money for finishing at that time, my pieces just sit in a box. But my quilt tops are only in a box if I'm not in the mood to do the quilting at that time.
So I think comparing the NP community to the quilt community is about as effective as comparing apples and oranges. Beyond both being fruit, they don't have much in common.
I didn't learn to needlepoint, quilt, knit, crochet, cross stitch, etc., from a shop. I learned from my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. I became a better needlepointer, quilter, knitter, etc., by taking classes. So let's keep the focus of instilling a love of the craft on a more personal level. If you can do it, share it.
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