September 18, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 17 Needlecraft School owner to carry on Fawcett’s legacy them and the school terribly,” said Mrs. Fawcett. “I always wanted to sew until I died and then keep the ashes in the basement of the school,” she added during an emotional farewell. Mrs. Fawcett has been sewing and designing clothes since she was seven years old, having learned the skill from an uncle who was a fashion designer. At Needlecraft, she shared her knowledge and creativity with students of all ages, helping them create their own clothing, from the sim- plest patterns to the more involved pieces, and develop con- fidence along the way. Her pride and joy was the fashion show held each spring to highlight the accomplishments of the students in the after-school class program. Over the years she and her students made more than 10,000 pillows to distribute to American soldiers abroad. Imperatore intends to carry on the example and instruc- tional path established by her mentor. Eva Imperatore and Ginny Fawcett After 50 years at the helm of The Needlecraft School, which championed her unique brand of style, skill, and proper manners, Ginny Fawcett has retired and moved to the New Orleans area to be near one of her sons. Her tradition is being carried on, however, by one of her long- time former students, Eva Imperatore of Ridgewood, who recently purchased the school along with her mother. “I loved Needlecraft and loved everyone I ever taught to sew. They will always be part of my life. I will miss “No matter what, Needlecraft School and Mrs. Fawcett are one. She founded it and made it what it is today,” said Imperatore, who started sewing with Mrs. Fawcett at age four and went on to get a BFA in fashion design from Cente- nary College. “I will be honored to carry on Mrs. Fawcett’s legacy. I’m excited to pass along to my students everything I’ve been taught,” she added. Imperatore said she had spent her years after college in retail and had not been happy, but had truly benefitted both in college and in her work experiences from the skills she learned from Mrs. Fawcett. “This is what I want my future to be: to design and help people learn how to design,” she said. The Needlecraft School’s fall session is set to start on Monday, Sept. 23. The school is located at 216-A Godwin Avenue in Midland Park. Call (201) 444-2976 for class schedules for children and adults.