Well! The pieces were collected (about 600!), sorted by category and presented to a panel of three Certified Needle Arts Judges.
Overall
the quality of the collection is VERY high. I am certain the judges had
a difficult time picking winners from the groupings.
This coming week the pieces will be hung through out the mansion for public viewing March 1-31.
Woodlawn's
Show is unique for many reasons. The historical home, Woodlawn, a gift
from George and Martha Washington to Eleanor Custis and Fielding Lewis
is a grand backdrop to the large collection.
The pieces include many types of needle work such as canvas work,
counted thread pieces, smocking and fine hand sewing and cross-stitch.
Needlework
is presented from across America as well as France! Entrants have the
option to mail in their entries. However many drive for HOURS to hand
deliver their treasures.
This year a wonderful stitcher drove all night from Maine to bring us entries! And she was even
generous enough to share an antique sampler with the workers. She
recreated the sampler and has charted it to preserve the art for future
generations. If you get to see the display, be sure to look for the
small school bag sampler in one of the Reception Room glass cases.
I can not begin to tell you how high an honor it is to get to see each piece up close and person as a volunteer.
THANK YOU to every entrant for sharing your wares with Woodlawn and the thousands who will visit the Show March 1-31.
I
will be demonstrating smocking and pleating in the Linen Room at the
top of the grand staircase on March 1. If you happen to attend the show
on opening day, pop in to say hi!
maggieb!