My story begins with how needlepoint changed the course of my life.  This may sound crazy but you will understand once I explain my story.

My mother passed away many years ago, but several years before she died, she did both needlepoint and knitting.  What I loved about her journey is that she would go to the shop where she learned both of these crafts and would sit around and talk and stitch/knit with people who had the same interests.  My mother always loved the opportunity to socialize. 

I always thought that this would be something I would love to be able to do.  Life happened and I moved from Waterbury, Connecticut to Boston to New York and never had the opportunity or thought about stitching or knitting until this one day in 2019 while on jury duty. In front of me, in jury duty, was this young woman needlepointing and I thought i can do that now. 

So the very next day I ventured out to the local needlepoint store in the City and picked out a canvas.  The shop was very busy so I got some basic help which helped me start to stitch my first canvas. Well, I was hooked and on a business trip to Atlanta, I went into a store and they introduced me to the work of needlepoint and the opportunity of the many different kinds of stitches and the fact that a canvas is a piece of art.  

Back to NYC I go without the ability to have anyone to help me as I couldn't understand how to start or stitch or even the basics.  I googled needlepoint group lessons and Stitch by Stitch in Larchmont came up.  That is when, although I did not realize it, my life would change.

I began coming up to studio time every Saturday.  It was so wonderful.  MaryEllen who teaches our studio time, was such an amazing teacher.  She helped me understand stitches and how and why you do what you do.  Betty and Madalena were so welcoming to the store.  Susan would also be there on Saturdays ordering all the many canvases that I would order.  We all know about our stash. 

I then went to my first retreat in March of 2020 just as the world shut down.  The friendships that I developed during that retreat helped me through the pandemic.  Living alone in the city, it was wonderful to be able to have zoom calls and stitch with all these new friends.The summer of 2020 and 2021 I would begin to come up to Larchmont and a group of us would sit outside the store and stitch.  It was so much fun because we would bring out chairs and for a few hours sit outside and be together.  It was wonderful.

In the fall of 2021, I asked Betty if she was looking for help on Saturdays, and so began my weekly Train/Uber trips to Larchmont.  I started to become friends with so many of our customers and enjoyed being up in Westchester so much so that in April 2023, I moved to Harrison NY and in August 2023 I retired from my full time job.

Now I have a nice retirement job (at Stitch by Stitch), friends, and a home that I have always wanted.  I love the time we spend stitching at the store, studio time groups of amazing women and ability to help our wonderful customers.  Every day I learn something new and I am so happy.  Needlepoint changed my life.  Stitch by Stitch was the conduit to that happiness.  Stitching has opened up my creative side and I have begun sewing and quilting.  So much to do and so little time! :-)

I love you Betty, Madalena, Susan and MaryEllen.  Not sure where I would be had I not found you!