The Exemplary 2025
2nd Place, Professional Non-Original with Instruction

I found this colorful piece of stumpwork with several techniques I wanted to try but it was a Zoom class. I believe Celeste Chalasani is one of the best designers and teachers, so I opted to give it a go!

The materials, directions, and Zoom demonstrations were excellent. I found my fingers just didn’t always do what I wanted them to, but I managed to complete the piece. Wrapping the thread around the wire didn’t sound hard until I tried it. Keeping the tension so the thread didn’t gap or overlap was a challengeespecially with the width of a thread being my margin for error. Attaching the slips to the satin was also a challenge because they move about, and taming wire is different from taming thread.

I enjoyed stitching the detached flower petals. I didn’t come anywhere near mastery of the stumpwork techniques used in this design. I do have a greater appreciation of the skills and have already started a second piece designed by Celeste.