You Can Buy A Cross-Stitch Pattern Of Convicted Illinois Governors

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 17, 2017 5:23PM

Etsy

Studs Terkel famously called Chicago “the most theatrically corrupt city,” a characterization that might be extended to the broader state government, given Illinois’ long history of crooked governors. Thanks to a hilarious new stitch pattern by a local artist, you might add “adorably” corrupt.

The Convicted Governors of Illinois cross-stitch pattern is the handiwork of Meridith Halsey, an office manager at Datascope Analytics who has been designing patterns since 2014 and selling them on Etsy since 2015.

She got the idea when she was chatting with her husband about the growing popularity of cross-stitch on the DIY commerce site—and their terminally hokey tendencies. “The majority of these patterns show couples or families, and the selling point is that the figures can be customized. We thought it would be funny to show the governors,” Halsey told Chicagoist by email.

The crowds seem to think so, too. “The Illinois Governors pattern is the most-viewed item in my Etsy shop.” Halsey said. It logged 332 views in 7 days, while all of her other patterns had 67 views combined, she said.

Along with several beer-related cross-stitch patterns, “the great conversation piece” Convicted Governors is available for a $5 download. Don't try any chicanery, and happy stitching.