JEANIE GALE Grew up near Houston, Texas • Retired from IBM • Has a degree in mechanical engineering • Moved to Hinsdale from California • Former owner of Blush Floral Design Boutique
Twenty-eight years after moving to Hinsdale and well over a decade after sewing her first stitches, Jeanie Gale finally became a member of the Hinsdale Embroiderers' Guild.
"It never crossed my mind to join," said Gale, who learned needlepoint 15 years ago. It was during a trip to a needle arts store that Gale heard a group of women talking about the Hinsdale group that she considered joining herself.
The Hinsdale Embroiderers' Guild is a 60-year-old organization that celebrates all forms of needlework. Despite her many years of experience, Gale admits she was a bit apprehensive about joining other stitchers who might have even more experience. She soon found that members have varying levels of talent and experience, as well as areas of expertise. The group includes quilters, embroiderers, cross stitchers, needlepointers, and one woman who practices a Japanese art called Sashiko.
"It's a group of women who all have varying interests in needlework," Gale said.
As for Gale, her interests include knitting and needlepoint, but she is a fan of anything that has to do with fiber art.
"I kind of grew up around it," said Gale, whose grandmother, mother and aunt enjoyed various crafts involving needle and thread. In college, Gale fed her love of fiber arts by taking elective courses in subjects such as spinning, wool dying and silk.
While some stitchers enjoy the creation process, others focus on the finished product, Gale said. Gale said she falls into the former category.
"It's a very Zen activity," she said. "It gets my mind centered."
Stitching, Gale said, involves math as well as creativity. While relaxing, it's not a mindless activity. For that, Gale said she turns to one of her favorite books. "The Two Towers" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a favorite and "my go-to when I need to relax and not think," Gale said. A more recent favorite on Gale's reading list is "Hester," a novel by Laurie Lico Albanese that combines Gale's love of reading and stitching. The story is of a young seamstress and her family's long history of dark secrets.
"It's all about stitching and visualization of color," Gale said.
Now that she's retired, Gale said she has more time to commit to her favorite pastimes, including reading and needlework. She also has more time to attend the Guild's outings, and she looks forward to an upcoming trip to a Chicago destination where members will see how thread is made.
The recent retiree also is a member of the Village Gardeners of Hinsdale and the Collectors Club, even though she doesn't consider herself a particularly good gardener or a collector. Both clubs, Gale said, provide a way to expand her knowledge and her social circle.
"It's a great way to connect with people in town," she said.
While Gale said she still misses California, she loves the home she and her husband have made in Hinsdale.
"It's been a great experience for all of us," said Gale, who has two grown children.
She also loves the Midwest's four seasons, although winter is not her favorite. To shake off the cold, Gale said she enjoys warm-weather escapes. And she can always cozy up with her stitching, no matter the weather outside.
- story by Sandy Illian Bosch, photo by Jim Slonoff
