Avon LIFE - Dec. 2004
Knitting is back in fashion and at the Village
Needlecrafts
by Brooke Pielli
The Village Needlecrafters owner
Dolores DeMar shows off one of the sweaters
she has knitted that are on sale in her Old
Avon Village shop. - Photo by Lisa Brisson |
Stepping into the Village Needlecrafts at 19 East
Main Street is a heady experience. Located in Old
Avon Village the store, owned by Dolores DeMar,
is on of the few remaining original stores in the
village.
It is also remarkably tiny, with every inch filled
with a colorful and exhaustive stock of everything
one might need for knitting, embroidery, felting
and crocheting. The space is so spare that at least
one customer. Alice Herman of Avon, remembers Mrs.
DeMar's late husband teasing her that she should
sublet some of the excess space to a dancing school
The owner of this store has been at this location
for 36 years. Originally from the Adirondacks, Mrs
DeMar came to Connecticut during World War II so
that her father could work for Pratt and Whitney.
She attended school in Middletown, went to work,
was married for 20 years and then widowed. Her mother
sewed and did alterations, passing on both her skill
and knowledge.
Those are merely the facts, as is the fact that
knitting, once relegated to elderly women sitting
in rocking chairs, has become the fashion once again,
attracting even boys and men to its soothing ritual.
Nothing could make Mrs. DeMar happier.
"I've made so may friendships over the years,"
she said, "that it's a joy. If I ever leave
here, that is what I will take with me, the friendships."
She would also take with her a vast knowledge of
knitting, embroidery, crocheting and felting that
is as extensive as is her skill in alterations.
"I've come to her with problems," said
Ivy Marsh of Avon, who regularly seeks out Mrs.
DeMar for alterations for suits and slacks, "and
she can figure out a solution. Even if it is a tear
and not on a seam. I have my own business in financial
and estate planning and wear a lot of suits."
Ms. Marsh has also been impressed with the way
Mrs. DeMar deals with her customers.
"She's genuinely sincere."
Mrs. Herman is a loyal customer who has been going
to Village Needlecrafts for 20 years.
"I don't knit, but I do go there for alterations.
I am continually amazed at how every inch of space
is utilized. There are even canvases for embroidery
on the ceiling," she said.
"But what amazes me the most is when I've
seen Dolores help people. She is very patient and
very helpful, but doesn't get in your face. I've
even seen her waiting on customers while she's shortening
slacks.
"And I wonder how many people know that Dolores
does alterations for some stores that send things
to her that they are unable to do? She's quiet,
but steady. A good citizen of the town and a good
friend. She's warm, decent, ethical and caring."
As the interest in knitting increased, Mrs. DeMar
saw a group of customers she never expected to see
- men.
"I started doing needlepoint," said Ralph
Emerick of Bloomfield, " when I retired. My
granddaughter gave me a kit. I've been going to
Village Needlecrafters for 12 years.
"After I've done the pattern Dolores finishes
it off and blocks the canvas and stretches it. She
puts some sort of plastic foam on it so it can be
made into a pillow. She is very pleasant and it
is a lovely shop. I enjoy needlepoint because I
can do it while I listen to music." He said.
Mrs. DeMar is constantly busy knitting samples
of sweaters, ponchos and scarves and doing alterations.
For many years she also did made-to-order clothes,
dresses and skirts. "Now I just do alterations
and I take my knitting samples to a show at St.
Francis Hospital." She said.
The cost of a sweater can start at $50, depending
on it's com-
