Mary Beale: How long have you been stitching? Who taught you to stitch?
Betty Amstutz: "I have been stitching for 31 years. I first started crocheting, taught by my mother, about the age of 17. I discovered cross stitching a few years later from a friend at work, signed up for a class at a local cross stitch shop, and have been cross stitching ever since."Mary Beale: Do you stitch mainly for yourself or others?
Betty Amstutz: "When I first started cross stitching just about every other item I stitched was a gift. That has changed a bit through the years. I do stitch small items/ornaments for friends. I stitch bigger items for family members for graduation and wedding gifts, etc."Mary Beale: What is the biggest needlework project you have ever undertaken? Did you keep it or give it away?
Betty Amstutz: "The biggest project by far was Mary Beale's Casket Panels. This is a keeper, but will eventually be handed down to one of my nephews."Mary Beale: Which Mary Beale design have you stitched? Have you stitched more than one?
Betty Amstutz: "The Casket Panels were the very first and only items I have stitched by Mary. I must say it was a wonderful introduction."
Mary Beale: Do you have a favorite? Why?
Betty Amstutz: "I saw the Sampler Wreath on a website a couple of years ago and a little light went on upstairs. I went to my stash collection and went searching and made a miraculous discovery. I had the Sampler Wreath chart! Hidden treasure rediscovered. It has now moved to the top of my collection. I do plan on making it into a wreath when finished."
Mary Beale: What do you collect?Betty Amstutz: "We love collecting Redware pottery. Ned Foltz and Greg Shooner are two of my favorite potters. Foltz Pottery is local and I do go to his shows. Redware pieces look beautiful with needlework. I would eventually like to do a sampler wall with some redware plates scattered around."Mary Beale: Do you have any special old needlework in your home such as old samplers, Victorian or vintage beaded bags, etc?
Betty Amstutz: "My mother's crocheted bedspread she made when she was 18. This lovely piece is very special to me. I wanted to hang it from a dowel rod, but it is to heavy for the threads and I didn't want to damage it. I keep it on a quilt rack.
We bought a quaker sampler at an estate sale a few years back. The couple who was selling it bought it in Gettysburg, PA back in the 1970's. It was stitched by Ruth Ann Carroll in 1937. We went to a quaker friends society near Philadelphia to do research, but had no luck."
