WARNING: teaching embroidery to children will warm your heart

by Dena Lenham

It was Grandparents' Day recently, and while I no longer have my grandparents here, I fondly thought of them and how much they taught me, and loved me, over the years. My grandfathers taught me about the outdoors and baseball, for instance. My grandmothers taught me how to sew, embroider, and crochet. I love them for it — I celebrate all of these passions to this very day.

Charles and Danielle's grandparents (Mr. and Mrs. Kreinik senior) taught them about needlework. You probably have a grandmother or friend that taught you how to use a needle and thread, or maybe you just watched them as they stitched. These impressions add up, and they keep the age-old passion of needlework alive. Just think how many people have this wonderful hobby, creativity, and stress relief in their lives because of you...

At Kreinik we get to hear about many stitchers sharing their knowledge by teaching others. When Claudette Osterreicher sent us photos of her young students stitching with Kreinik threads in an embroidery class, we asked her if we could share the story with others. The smiles on the girls' faces should encourage all of us to keep sharing our time and talents with others. Thank you to Claudette and the parents for letting us share the photos.

Claudette, who is a member of the Embroiderer's Association of Canada (http://www.eac.ca) and has won an award for her own needlework, teaches a group of Hutterite ladies and girls in Canada. She shared some of the different Kreinik threads with her students and they wanted to learn more. The colors and textures and variety in the Kreinik line is visually exciting and the threads can be used by all ages. "I am amazed at how fast these girls caught on," Claudette told us. If you are thinking of teaching youngsters in your community, take a note from Claudette about types of projects her students prefer: "They like to make more practical things. They don't do alot of pictures on the wall. Right now the little ones are doing needle books and the older girls are doing pincushions."

A message to Claudette's students: Your work is excellent, Lisa, Helen, Jessica, Maryanne, Niomi and Dorothy! We hope this begins a life-long love of needlework and creativity. You have inspired us to take time and teach others too.