MARILYN has been "crafting" as long as she can remember. As a young child, she did not care for the doll's clothes supplied in her "paper doll" sets, so she traced the dolls, and designed her own clothes. There is also a vivid memory of learning to "colour within the lines". If she felt the pre-printed picture could be improved, she changed the lines, an act which was not always appreciated by teachers in the fifties.
In seventh grade, HOME ECONOMICS was taught. MARILYN adored the sewing strand of the curriculum. Her father was so delighted that he bought her a sewing machine for her twelfth birthday.
MARILYN'S maternal Grandmother (Bubby) was a seamstress and her paternal Grandfather (Zaidy) was a tailor. Her grandparents, having been refused educations in the old country (Romania), wanted their children to have an education in America (Detroit, Michigan). They succeeded. Marilyn's mother is the only one of the five children to "only" have a Bachelor's degree. Of course she was the only daughter with four younger brothers. Because Esther concentrated on the academic subjects, her mother finished the Sewing assignments which were brought home.
A great model for Marilyn while growing up was her Father's Aunt Belle. "Aunt Tiny" as she was affectionately called, painted with oils, knitted and crocheted, worked with leather and even did a bit of metalwork.
Through her Secondary School years, Marilyn knitted under the tutilage of Aunt Tiny, and sewed a bit. Marilyn learned to crochet.
In the mid-seventies, she bought an instruction manual, and taught herself to do needlepoint. Except for one project (the first), they all have Judaic themes.
At the beginning of her third pregnancy Marilyn discovered "stretch sewing", made clothes for her two children and started studying dressmaking with Nadine Roe, an accomplished White Russian Emigree. She studied with Mme Roe for six years, learning some of the finer points of fashion sewing and construction of clothing for herself and for her three children.
The nineteen eighties brought long hours sitting on open houses for New Home sales. (Marilyn's "other job" was as a successful real estate salesperson) Marilyn knit and knit until every person in her family said, "Enough!! No more sweaters!!
1990 was a turning point in Marilyn's creative career. She attended the Biennial Convention of Women's League for Conservative Judaism and met Shirley Waxman, of the Washington DC area. Shirley is an expatriot of Hamilton, Ontario (Marilyn's hometown). Shirley is a renowned tallit maker and Marilyn fell in love with Shirley's art. They talked over the four day period. Marilyn returned home, bought some raw silk, and made her first tallit, which she first wore for Sisterhood Shabbat, when, as Sisterhood President, she sat in the President's chair on the bema of Beth Jacob Synagogue. This tallit can be seen on page 01 of this site.
Over the next decade Marilyn honed her craft. She has attended many seminars and workshops to broaden her experience and expand her expertise. She was exposed to and fell in love with watercolour quilting. There is a separate page at this site devoted singularly to this special form of quilting. Her next personal tallit was a watercolour quilted tallit which can be seen on page 01 of this site.
And then "His & Hers" tallitot, for a 50th wedding anniversary in 1996, trimmed in gold lame. (no pictures are available)
In 1996, MARILYN attended her first POMEGRANATE GUILD of JUDAIC TEXTILES of TORONTO meeting in Toronto, Ontario. She became a member and attends their meetings and has presented workshops for the group. Marilyn discovered the Internet, and is an active participant on two quilting lists....watercolour and judaic.
Returning to her original profession, Marilyn is a special education teacher in Southern Ontario where she combines her passion for children with her love of the arts.
MARILYN takes great pride in her work and derives satisfaction in knowing that her craft is being used and enjoyed near and far in both synagogues and homes.
Please feel free to contact MARILYN to discuss your ideas for tallit, kippot, tallit and tfillin bags, challah and matzah covers and other Judaica textile art.
