Interview with Betty of Betty's Sunset Threads

We regret very much that Betty passed away last year. She was a lovely person, missed by many. Stitchery Mall continues to sell her designs on behalf of her husband, Bill. This interview was done in July of 2004.

Betty Cauthen is a native of Phoenix, Arizona. While growing up she developed a love for things southwest which include art, jewelry, people and the land. She graduated from Arizona State University and received a minor in Art and a major in Education. Betty taught elementary school for thirty years and after retiring from teaching, taught porcelain painting for several years. Bill also taught for 31 years and supported the school's technology for an additional eight years.

Betty became involved with machine embroidery with a boost from Ann the Gran. Ann encouraged her after Betty sent her one of the Monthly Sunbonnets. Betty now finds it has consumed her life. Her love of the Southwest and fine art is reflected in her embroidery designs. She has been digitizing for 6 years and has maintained a web site for the last 5 years with special assistance from her husband, Bill. Betty has taught classes at retreats around the United States and credits Bill for keeping the technology and web page going so that she can continue to create designs.

Betty has added a new dimension to the machine embroidery. She is now painting the fabric before embroidering on the material. Her latest sets of designs include another a different technique, coloring using crayons after stitching out the detailed outline. The students in the classes have been amazed at their results when following her explicit instructions.