Isn’t that name just too cute? It was my first needlepoint shop and I started going there in 1980. The shop was in Wexford, PA (Pine Township), right next to Wexford Antiques. Looking like a little 40′s cottage on the outside, it had 4 rooms and was, I think, the Wexford Post Office.
The front room had kits on tables. The room behind it had the best display/storage for threads EVER! The other two rooms had books, canvas and probably things I couldn’t afford in high school and college, like painted canvases.
I bought my first kit there. They taught me how to make my first textured stitch (Encroached Gobelin) and encouraged my designing efforts. I also bought my first Bargello book there. Long after I left Pittsburgh, I would visit the shop whenever I went home. It’s long gone, but it will always be dear to me.
But, oh, that thread display! It was one of those old-fashioned brass front post office box units. The Persian Wool was put in one color per box. The number was the box number, To get threads, the employees would go behind the boxes and pull out the thread.
I’ve wanted one ever since.
Related posts:
Hi,
I was so excited to read your article. My mom, Marty Welch, was one of the owners of
The Pine Needle! I worked there through college and taught needlepoint classes to kids. I believe I left before you became a
customer.
Your article brought tears to my eyes. My mother was an avid crewel and neelepointer
and would have been so thrilled to hear
of your love of needlework, inspired by the
shop. My father was the artist who painted
all the canvases. I still have a photo album of his work.
I found your article one day just playing on the computer and entering the shop’s
name. I never believed it would lead to such a warm memory.
Thank you!
Nan Arotsky
Thanks so much for the comment, I’m glad it brought back happy memories.
Keep Stitching,
Janet