Marlene

Here’s an opening sentence guaranteed to lose 99% of readers: «Ever wondered what to do with that beautiful needlepoint piece that you finally finished after actively working on it for several years running?»
Told ya’. Bye-​bye.
The first major needlepoint piece I did was a hot mess by the time I completed it. The shape resembled less of square than some fun-​house mirror version of one. It needed blocking first, to be followed by whipping it into something lovely and useful which I determined should be a pillow. I’d been in needlepoint shops and seen how some of these pillows look once completed and thought «I want me some of that». They can really be works of art. So I brought my finished piece to a wonderful needlepoint shop and they blocked it and turned it into one of the most gorgeous home décor pieces I’ve laid eyes on. It adorns my living room couch and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t there so I could both ogle it and show it off.
But the truth of the matter is this: that needlepoint shop might have helped define what the pillow should look like as well as the style, choice of fabric, backing, and trim but I don’t think they did the work there. This sort of work gets outsourced. And you know where it gets outsourced to? Marlene; «Marlene Custom Pillows» to be exact. Marlene runs a most un-​fancy shop above a Krag-​Maga studio. The sign out front is barely legible and unless you seek it out, chances of spontaneously encountering the place are nil.
Marlene and her staff can likely craft your finished needlepoint into any look you desire. She’ll block it then add fabric, cording, monograms, or whatever your heart desires. She also welcomes you to bring your own fabric if you prefer. I’ve now had three needlepoint pieces finished into beautiful pillows, two by Marlene and one «by» the aforementioned needlepoint shop and besides just knowing about Marlene’s existence, here’s what I think it’s important to know:
* If you don’t have your own idea of what you want, the needlepoint shop is likely to come up with a pillow more unique and stylish. I go in there and they have fantastic pillows I couldn’t have even imagined made from fabrics purchased places I don’t know of. You’ll pay more if you go through them but, unless you have ideas of your own, your pillow will also be more fantastic.
* If you have ideas of your own and possibly access to fantastic fabrics, you might as well cut out the middleman and go directly to Marlene. She knows what she’s doing and could probably make a beautiful pillow out of your piece in her sleep. You’ll likely save upwards of $ 100 by going directly to Marlene. (Hey, nobody said this work is cheap).
* If you don’t have a strong idea of what you want but just want your piece finished and made into a simply lovely pillow, definitely go to Marlene.
* I’m a bit pillow-​centric but fyi: Marlene does more than pillows. She can finish anything needlepoint (e.g. stockings, Christmas ornaments, bean bags, toys) into something beautiful.
* There’s a corner full of pillows when you first enter Marlene’s. From these samples you might gain an idea of some things Marlene could do with your work.
* Marlene will insure and ship your finished piece to you if desired.
Metered street parking is generally a cinch in this area so, if you’re sitting around wondering what to do with your finished piece of needlepoint, Marlene’s is a great resource to know of. All the fancy needlepoint shops know already; now you do too.