Special Book Sale Focuses On Needlework

By Nancy K. Crevier

Needleworkers who are sitting on pins and needles about what to do this winter will want to mark Sunday, January 21, on their calendars. From 1 to 5 that afternoon, in the meeting room of the C.H. Booth Library, the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library will present a special sale of quality books and sought-after charts and patterns on needlework, needlepoint, quilting, knitting, and other crafts. The one-day only sale is possible due to a donation to the Friends of Counted Embroidery, Laurel Chapter early this winter that has turned out to be a boon for the Cyrenius H. Booth Library and those who love the art of needlework.

Patricia Marshall, president of the needlework group and a volunteer with Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, received a phone call in December from a Stratford man who, in cleaning out his late wife’s possessions, was left with a huge collection of quality needlework books, kits, charts, and patterns that he wished to give to an organization that could make use of them.

When he provided her with a list of the items, Ms Marshall realized two things: that there was far, far more to this generous donation than the small Counted Embroidery chapter could accommodate, and that there was a great deal of value to many of the charts and books.

Because the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library accepts donations year around for the annual July 4th weekend book sale, Ms Marshall suggested that she take the gift for the library book sale. When she went to Stratford to pick up the boxes of books and charts, though, she discovered an unexpected connection to Newtown.

“The man’s wife used to drive to Newtown to shop at The Common Thread, a retail needlework store owned by resident Betsy Evans, who has since moved to Colorado. And Ms Evans’s sister is Rae Iverson, a very well-known, nationally respected needlework instructor, who has published designs under the Moss Creek label. There are a number of Rae Iverson designs in the collection,” said Ms Marshall.

In reviewing the dozens of books and the more than 700 charts and patterns donated, all in excellent or new condition, it became apparent that there was more than enough stock to warrant a book sale dedicated solely to needlework. “People who are into needlework and quilting will recognize many of the names associated with the books and charts,” said Ms Marshall. Included are publishers Lavender & Lace, The Cricket Collection, Patrick’s Woods, Elizabeth’s Designs, Janice Love Hardanger Designs, Leon Conrad, Shepherd’s Bush, Moss Creek, Sue Reed Designs, Jean Hilton Designs, and Serendipity Designs.

The items will be offered at 50 percent or more off of original retail prices, said Ms Marshall.

Not only did the donation include printed material, but several kits and many skeins of threads were in the boxes, as well. “Since the threads and kits were not something the library could use, The Friends of Counted Embroidery will be selling those items within our group,” said Ms Marshall. “The money from that will be given in the donor’s wife’s name to Vassar College, which preserves and restores antique needlework.” Also, some of the newer books were placed into general circulation at the library, said Ms Marshall, to upgrade the offerings in the craft and needlework area.

The January 21 sale offers needleworkers the opportunity to add to their own collections items that might otherwise be too expensive or unobtainable otherwise, said Ms Marshall. “This sale should be really exciting to people who are involved in needlework. I think it’s a once in a lifetime sale,” she said.