Seven members of the Rip ’N’ Sew club recently showed their cowboy sewing skills in seven rodeo-themed challenges. Competitions included a “Saddlebag Search” with “Oh! Susanna” playing in the background. Each participant had to dig into her sewing kit to produce as many items as possible from a list of 20 deemed “essential” for sewing.

“Calf Roping,” a bobbin-winding contest, was done to the music of “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” Eva Weisberg provided a short educational tip before winding commenced.

Nobody had to muck out stalls for the “Roping the Steed” contest. It involved threading a Janome steed, AKA a sewing machine. The event was judged for speed and accuracy.

“Steer Wrestling” provided a mental challenge in the form of a matching game devised by member Dianne Repsholdt, who designed the printed material and the games. She and Sue Ambler were rodeo co-sheriffs. Unfortunately, a family emergency kept Repsholdt from enjoying their weeks of preparation.

All of that activity required a 10-minute break for contestants and guests to wet their whistles.

Activities resumed with “Barrel Racing,” stitching intricate patterns on paper using a sewing machine without thread. Judges looked for accuracy.

The final event was “Fit to Be Tied,” a lesson Ambler provided on French haute couture button-sewing by hand so there is no ugly knot on the back.

Then it was time for the award ceremony. All “pardners” were awarded a participation medal. Scores were kept for all events, added up and the top three high-scorers received gold medals, the next two took home silver medals and one person received a bronze medal.

Gold medal winners were Linda Gran, Rose Walden and Melanie Reckord. Silver medal winners were Leslie Eiler and Bernie Corso. Ann Haight received a bronze medal.

Ambler emceed the event, starting with introductions to the tune of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” 

Weisberg, Debbie Dorn and Cindy Stedman were deputy sheriffs. Beverly MacGregor was a special judging deputy.

Rodeo-appropriate dress was encouraged and a number of members wore cowboy hats or boots or Western shirts or a combination of them.

All Rip ’N’ Sew members could participate in the last event, a Chuck Wagon pot luck.

Other rodeo music included “The William Tell Overture” and “Happy Trails.”