Pearl Louise Designs embroidery class at Hill City Center

 

 

A new class has come to the Hill City Center. Thimble Thursday is a basic hand embroidery class for confident beginners taught by Pearl Krush, of the former Thimble Cottage and Pearl Louise Designs. 

 

Krush originally learned embroidery from her mom and grandma and has been embroidering on and off since she was a child. For many years she also had a quilt shop called the Thimble Cottage. 

 

“I miss the people so it’s fun to get together again,” Krush said. 

 

However, Krush is still teaching at quilt markets and designing patterns for both fabric and embroidery. Designing patterns is her favorite part. For this Krush studies the market to see what is currently popular or in style at the time. She also gets inspiration from Pinterest and local stores like Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

 

“I like to do stash patterns. That means using up what you already have,” Krush said. “So I just design it from scratch. Then I write it and publish it and print it and package it and send it. I enjoy it.” 

 

She also has four embroidery books that were sold through Annie’s catalog. These included “The Blizzard Bunch Go Camping,” “All A Twitter,” “Redwork Blizzard Buddies” and “Redwork Twittering.”

 

“I enjoyed doing those books because there are many projects in one,” said Krush. 

 

According to Vicki Barlean of Quilt Time in Hill City, “She’s a rock star in the quilt world.”

 

Barlean got to know Krush through the Thimble Cottage. One day while Barlean was shopping with her aunts, she brought them to the Thimble Cottage to see the shop. 

 

“They signed me up for one of her (Krush’s) quilt classes, and she and I have been best buds ever since,” said Barlean. 

 

Through this relationship, Barlean suggested that Krush offer Thimble Thursday classes in Hill City. 

 

“I wanted to see this class come because it’s something I’ve always wanted to learn how to do,” said Barlean. “Pearl is an internationally known artist and designer, and her patterns are easy to follow. She’s been in it a long time. She’s a very good instructor, good with people who haven’t been embroidering their whole life. It’s a really good use of our new community center.”

 

In the Thimble Thursday class, Krush leads attendees in a beginning embroidery project.

 

“It’s just going to be simple embroidery that can be turned into a wall decoration, a mug rug or perhaps a pillow,” said Krush. 

 

A kit will be provided, but attendees do need to bring a hoop, needle and scissors. Although the project will already be traced and placed for the class, Krush will explain how to complete that step.

 

Next, she will demonstrate the stitches that will be used to complete the project and explain how to do them. Attendees will be learning the stem stitch, back stitch, french knots, colonial knots, lazy daisy, chain stitch and satin stitch. 

 

Krush explained that “We start stitching right away so that we can get the basic stitches in place and so that they can get the rhythm of the stitching down.” 

 

As they stitch, Krush said, “I see the joy of them being able to do it and realizing it’s not so bad. It’s not so tough. You can do it.” 

 

Although the project will unlikely be completed during the class, the extended stitching time is designed to provide the knowledge needed so attendees know what to do next when they get home.

 

The first class was in October, and “It went really well,” Krush said. “A lot of people have had some knowledge or have been taught by grandmothers or aunts or moms or teachers, but they haven’t visited it for a long time. So it’s nice to be refreshed and go back into it ‘cause it’ll never go out of style.” 

 

“It’s amazing how therapeutic it is,” Krush continued. “I always say, ‘It’s a great thing to do when you have no control of the remote control.’” 

 

The cost of the Thimble Thursday class and kit is $10 per person per class. All attendees must RSVP by calling Vicki Barlean at 605-390-3153 so kits can be prepared in advance. 

 

The next class will be on Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Hill City Center. A third class will follow in December. However, Krush said she would be open to teaching more classes if people are interested.