Walking through the exhibits at the West End Fair, it's not always obvious how much time has gone into a project.

Embroidery is one of those categories where the preparation often takes much longer than the fair itself.It's been a part of fairs like the West End's for decades, according to a group of embroiderers who were showing off their work at the fair museum Wednesday afternoon."Most of the pieces take quite a while," said Bonnie Miller of the Pocono Mountain Chapter of Embroiderers' Guild of America.Some people take up the hobby because it's a family tradition. For others, it's a relaxing way to unwind from work.Miller said it can give a sense of accomplishment while you're just sitting, watching TV. Foucault said she likes to relax after work with her craft."It's therapeutic. You have a bad day, you sit down - I sit down with a martini - and by 6:30, you're fine," Pat Foucault of Kresgeville said.Foucault took home the blue ribbon for embroidery, as well as a best in show award. She submitted a sampler - which combines needlework designs and lettering - that took months to assemble.It can take much longer than similar crafts like quilting, but they say that anyone can pick it up and start small."Most people say 'I couldn't do that,' but yes, you can," Foucault said.In recent years, sewing machines have been programmed to handle a lot of basic embroidery, but the guild members maintain they have an edge over the machines, according to Miller."Anything a machine can do, we can do better."Embroidery can be a reminder of the family and friends who first showed them the skill.They save work from mothers and grandmothers who also enjoyed the hobby."I have stuff my grandmother made hanging in my house," Miller said.The Pocono Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild meets once a month, the second Monday, at the cafeteria of Stroudsburg High School.They will also be demonstrating their craft at the Harvest Festival held at Quiet Valley Farm in Monroe County, Oct. 7-8.For more information about the embroiderers, contact Miller at 570-421-4077 or 570-424-6208.