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stitches by the sea<br />
Its raining threads!!<br />
52 | may <strong>2022</strong> | www.<strong>Atlantic</strong><strong>Ave</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com<br />
Ten Years of Creativity<br />
and Creation in Delray<br />
By diane feen | photos by melissa korman<br />
The expression is one of stitching and stretching your mind<br />
in sync with artistic canvases and colorful threads. Called<br />
needlepoint, this artistic endeavor is made by hand and embellished<br />
by heart.<br />
Stitches by the Sea is the center of gravity for this age-old tradition<br />
of needlepoint. But its heritage – like many hobbies and endeavors<br />
– has evolved with younger stitchers and new culturally<br />
expressive canvases.<br />
What makes Stitches by the Sea so unique is its lineage. Founder<br />
Judi Alweil’s first needlepoint business was started in her motherin-law’s<br />
house in Long Island in 1968.<br />
It was the perfect business for this creative maven of color and<br />
style. Judi’s artistic bent and teaching degree laid the groundwork<br />
for a thriving business. Her ability to hand-paint needlepoint<br />
canvasses so beautifully made them sought after from all<br />
over the country.<br />
“My father Mac was our first salesperson for our wholesale business<br />
(Gemini) that I started with my partner, Rochelle Weissberg in<br />
1974. Our first big order was for Jordan Marsh and we didn’t have<br />
a system in place to fill the order. Our husbands helped us pack-up<br />
and ship our first large order,” said Judi, whose husband Dick has<br />
been part of the Delray Beach store since its inception.<br />
The business (both wholesale and retail) grew and prospered<br />
in Long Island with Judi designing brilliant canvases and selling<br />
Judi and Karen discussing upcoming projects<br />
If you haven’t been to Stitches by the Sea<br />
in downtown Delray you are missing out on<br />
a colorful garden of artistic expression.<br />
Mother and Daughter surrounded by Judi & Co. designs<br />
COPYRIGHTED<br />
yarns in all fibers and colors. Judi also authored two books (one on<br />
ribbon knitting) and created beautiful needlepoint handbags, pillows,<br />
wall art, totes, belts and other items of earthly existence.<br />
When the Alweil’s moved to South Florida Judi decided to take<br />
up her retail business venture once again. “Karen was doing our<br />
wholesale business in New York, but she moved to Florida to help<br />
us. Business has been so good that Karen has become a vital part of<br />
Stitches by the Sea.”<br />
Women flock to the Delray store from all over the country looking<br />
for beautiful needlepoint accessories and inspiration. Stitches<br />
by the Sea also sells designer canvases that can be made into anything<br />
imaginable.
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