UK Church Kneelers Full of Charm

Simon Martin Art takes us on a tour of church kneelers in Norfolk, on the east coast of England.  Use the right side arrows to see dozens of them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUAfk9YDaB3/?img_index=1

They are charming!  Wonder why there is a kneeler with dice?  My favorite is the tractor one.  That was stitched by a farmer's wife.  The tractor is the most important piece of machinery a modern farmer owns.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.co

 and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 31, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Church Kneelers Spotted in the Wild

Tracey at Stitches and Style is on vacation in Gibralter where she found some wonderful needlepointed church kneelers.  Use the right side arrow to see them all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C66BeYrLhye/?g=5&img_index=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 13, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Church Needlepoint from the UK

Tracey of the Stitches and Style Instagram has been touring the UK and is treating us to ecclesiastical needlepoint from Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon...

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6jOtWVr71b/?g=5&img_index=1

...and Westminister Abbey in London.  Use the side arrows to see all the photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6n7rbmLoWK/?g=5&img_index=7

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Elizabeth Bingham Wants Kneeler Photos

Elizabeth Bingham of the UK has created a website that will document and preserve Great Britain's 20th Century church kneelers for all.  The website is called Parish Kneelers.  

https://parishkneelers.co.uk/

Here is the section of the website explaining how anyone with photos of parish kneelers from the UK can help build the database.  I know that many US needlepointers have visited English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish churches and taken photos of the kneelers.  If you have photos you would like to donate and remember which church they came from, read the instructions on how to contribute here.  Note the churches they have already added to the database at the bottom of the page.  Images are not needed for those.

https://parishkneelers.co.uk/appeal/

By the way, Parish Kneelers has lots of tips for those who want to stitch kneelers for their own church.  There are links to resources for supplies, books, help designing your own, tips for repairs, even places to apply for grants.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 30, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Do You Need A Designer for Church Kneelers?

Recently someone on Facebook needed a designer for cushions for their church. Folks helped with lots of names so I thought I'd capture them all here. They are listed in alphabetical order with contact information.  Note that I've only listed people who specialize in ecclesiastical designs as that is very different from someone who just puts your design on canvas.  These folks understand everything about organizing and financing your church project to the special imagery you will want to include.

Alice Twiggs Vantrease
https://www.facebook.com/alicevantrease

Joan Eidman (the designer behind Fiori)
http://www.dreamhouseventures.com/shop/designers-showcase/fiori.htm

Lauren Tucker
https://www.facebook.com/lauren.tucker.3745

Nancy Keating
https://fancyworkfinishing.com

Nancy Lukoskie - Please note Nancy has retired now.

https://fancyworkfinishing.com

JP Sligh at Labors of Love

Contact him through the Labors of Love shop

https://laborsofloveneedlepoint.shop/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Abigail Cecile Gifts A Free Notre Dame Design UPDATED

Since the roof and spire of Notre Dame Cathederal burned this week, folks have been looking for canvases to commemorate the cathedral as it was.  Bucherie in Paris has several small pieces and one large canvas.
http://bucherie.com/products.asp?cat=34

Sally Corey has one as well.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/976880512389107/

If you are a fan of counted canvaswork, Threedles has "Cathedral" in the Notre Dame color way.
https://threedles.com/04012016/Frames/threedles_frameset.html

Now Abigail Cecile has gifted us all a line drawing of the current profile of the cathedral.  Go to her website on your laptop or desktop (link below), put your cursor on the middle of the image, then holding the cursor down, drag the image off her website and to your desktop.  There's a link to her explanation on how to transfer this to needlepoint canvas here as well.
https://www.abigailcecile.com/pages/notre-dame-free-printable?fbclid=IwAR2vVgxaDIpSZ2EKyuljZlpA4JS_LsJ4TtkdXaCcsruUJE6MTMd4xFH43RI

Thanks, Abby!

UPDATE:  Alice Peterson is providing a printed outline Notre Dame canvas.
https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/products/notre-dame-round?fbclid=IwAR3dDMIAJzJ_7KcrLXYUXF2pfYmBUXDL7phtgCS2cwy4J3OB1VumWcWXVjA

By the way, Tricia Nguyen of Thistle Threads was right there when Notre Dame started burning if you need a good photo of how it was when choosing colors for your version.
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2019/04/april.html

UPDATE #2:  Deux Amis has a new large Cathedral of Notre Dame canvas.
https://www.facebook.com/needlenookoflajolla/photos/a.874331942611533/2481653438546034/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 17, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepoint Pew Cushion Project

This labor of love for kneelers in a Portland church is celebrated in this newspaper article. Don't miss the video!
https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/02/this-gift-to-a-ne-portland-church-will-outlive-all-who-created-it.html?fbclid=IwAR1nwaEKuH49WuhQ_aKI9_ngIQgvzPrcZUJdn8hTH-9jIikTeFLi-ST9yw4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 17, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Kneelers Live On

The All Saints' Episcopal Church in Rehoboth Beach has needlepoint kneelers that were stitched by members over the 1970s-80s.  The article has a lot of photographs of the pieces that are still in use although who stitched what has been lost.
http://www.capegazette.com/article/kneeling-comfort-all-saints’-nearly-40-years/138922

Needlepointers come and go but their work lives on.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 20, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Berlin Wool Work? Or Ecclesiastical Embroidery?

Hands Across the Sea is an English blogger who often talks about historical embroidery and needlepoint.  I think she's wrong that Berlin wool work is the same thing as ecclesiastical embroidery, particularly church needlepoint cushions and kneelers, but I'm willing to let her talk for the sake of the lovely pictures.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/1298-2/

You will enjoy the video about making Surrey Knots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LajCBqqCSg&feature=youtu.be

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing Friday:

Ridgewood has posted more photos of finishing they have done for customers. You won't want to miss this as there is everything from a bird's nest to wonderful dogs, purses, boxes, ornaments and an amazing dimensional church.  It's hard to know who is more talented--Ridgewood's customers or their finishers.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2016/01/finishing-friday.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ecclesiastical Needlepoint at Saint Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church

Whether you are Christian or not, I thought you'd enjoy looking at photos and a video about the needlepoint decorations at Saint Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church in Denver. Colorado.  They have a lot of photographs of church events on Facebook but this is the only stitching photo there I could find.
https://www.facebook.com/saintmichaelsdenver/photos/pb.507206259340220.-2207520000.1421597026./802625253131651/?type=1&theater

On the other hand, there is a nice video of the church interior that showcases their Christmas decor.
http://www.saintmichaelsdenver.org/2015/01/02/take-a-virtual-tour-of-the-church-in-its-christmas-splendor/

The website has information about St. Clare's Needlepoint Guild which has created the needlepoint decorations for the church.  The church has a Christmas tea in December each year that showcases their unique stitching if you happen to live in the area.
http://www.saintmichaelsdenver.org/parish-life/st-clares-needlepoint-guild/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright  November 29, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ecclesiastical Embroidery Booklet Available

Mary Corbet has an interest in ecclesiastical embroidery so a friend of hers sent her a great little booklet about the church embroideries decorating Liverpool Cathedral.  Since the booklet is available for purchase and there is a website that talks about some of the collections described in it, Mary talks about the pamphlet in detail on her website.  This is for fans of embroidery and gold work, particularly that stitched for cathedrals and churches.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/03/the-embroideries-at-liverpool-cathedral.html

Of course if you happen to be in Liverpool this year, you should check out the cathedral and the Embroidery Trail that covers a lot of fascinating stitching in various spots all over the city.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kneelers from Ely Cathedral

A friend of Needlepoint Land's owner has been on a trip to England and took photos of the kneelers in Ely Cathedral that were shared with the shop, who shared them with us.  I wish there were more photographs but the bright, happy colors are just wonderful!
http://needlepointland.com/2014/07/29/needlepoint-kneelers/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 30, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint in the National Cathedral UPDATED

The DMC blog just stumbled across the needlepoint in the National Cathedral in D.C.  It's my impression the late Davie Hyman worked to create some of the designs and there used to be a booklet sold about the needlepoint in the Cathedral shop.  Does anyone have anything more to add?
http://dmc-threads.com/needlepoint-national-cathedral-washington-dc/

Yes, there was a booklet.  It doesn't seem to be available now, at least not through Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Needlepoint-Washington-Cathedral-Guidebooks/dp/B000M7NRLK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Google pointed me to a tour that is all about the needlepoint.
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/events/CU201201.shtml#.UHYCm7ThD9M

Fancywork Finishing has also done work there.
http://www.fancyworkfinishing.com/page1/page1.html

The Needle Bug was there.
http://theneedlebug.com/2009/11/back-on-the-road-washington-national-cathedral/

And so was this lady, who really enjoyed the needlepoint in the Children's Chapel.
http://www.andsoiwhisper.com/2011/06/childrens-chapel-national-cathedral.html

Anyone have more information to add?

UPDATE:  Palma added this link to a news article about a needlepoint kneelers dedication service in Pass Christian, Mississippi, which was scoured off the earth by Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/11/02/4281412/needlepoint-kneelers-dedication.html#storylink=cpy

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com