Sew your stress away: Students learn embroidery

By Isabella Helms Collegian Reporter

The scent of coffee and scones hovered over the crafting table as students sat surrounded by an array of colorful fabrics, meditating on embellished nature scapes and woodland creatures.

On Nov. 7 in the Grewcock Student Union TV Lounge, a group of excited women gathered around a table filled with pastel fabrics, assorted string, pins, and embroidery hoops to pause from their studies and get creative. Designed for students of all skill levels, the art honorary, Alpha Rho Tau, hosted its annual embroidery night.

Freshman Julia Widhalm found out about the event from one of her friends who had seen a poster in the union.

“The embroidery event was really fun,” Widhalm said, “I am thinking of majoring in art, so it was a great way to engage my interests while also having fun.”

Freshman Ana Acuna, who was busy embroidering a small mushroom appreciated the mid-week study break.

“It’s been fun. I have other things that I should be doing, but it’s so nice to be embroidering and it goes by surprisingly fast,” Acuna said. “Honestly, when you just sit down and embroider, it looks so good.” ago by a few Alpha Rho Tau members who really loved to embroider. What began as an individual hobby soon became a commonly shared appreciation for embroidery. “They just wanted to share their skills so they started teaching people a few things and then it a smile. She also talked about the ease of preparing for the event, and the excitement leading up to the embroidery night. Each year, attendance increases, hidden embroidery talent is discovered, and a love of embroidery is fostered.

“It’s pretty simple to tional images with richly embroidered patterns depicting flowers, birds, and small animals. These pictures were helpful for beginners and experienced embroiderers alike.

“We usually just find resources online that take you through a few simple steps, and then it’s pretty easy to figure things out,” Connell said.

Before this event was established, Connell had had very little embroidery experience. By virtue of accommodating a range of skill sets, Connell was able to leave her first embroidery night completely competent with needle, thread, and hoop. She looks forward to this event every year.

“The great thing about this event is that embroidery is really easy to pick up,” Connell said.

From geometrical shapes and flowers to cats and cactuses, the embroidery event was a perfect creative outlet for busy students.

According to Alpha Rho Tau Secretary, Mikhaeli Connell, embroidery night was started a couple years really caught on,” Connell said. Connell has helped organize this event for the past two years, and said this year’s event had the best turnout yet. “I don’t remember ever running out of embroidery hoops before,” Connell said with get ready for this event,”

Connell said. “Every three or so years we will have to buy some more supplies, but otherwise we just have to secure the location, get some snacks, and set everything up.”

Connell even printed inspirational and instruc-

Inspired to start her own weekly embroidery night, Widhalm looked at her friends at the end of the event and said, “We should go to Walmart and get some supplies.”