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.

Food for Thought

I enjoy reading Dr. Jessica Grimm's blog about Medieval ecclesiastical embroidery but this posting really gave me something to think about--these embroideries were mass produced (well, what goes for mass production in a pre-industrial society) but the embellishments, materials and stitches chosen made each individual.   Dr. Grimm makes the point this resembles painted canvases today.

https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/mass-produced-medieval-goldwork-embroidery-the-adoration-of-the-magi

Bet you never thought you had so much in common with folks in the 15th and 16th Century!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 12, 2024 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.

The Pearl Edged Nimbus

Dr. Jessica Grimm is a German expert in Medieval embroidery, especially ecclesiastical pieces. Occasionally she does a free tutorial on the techniques used, including this explanation of how a pearl edge halo (or nimbus) was created on a chasuble, or sort of long sleeveless vest worn by a priest over other church garb.  Jessica shows exactly how to create a halo of couched gold over a layer of silk, how to edge the outside with a bundle of thread and then now to attach pearls to the rim of the nimbus.  It's a lovely technique and applicable to the angels we enjoy creating in needlepoint.

https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/tutorial-pearl-edged-nimbus

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 23, 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.

Helena Wintour's Catholic Embroideries

Mary Corbet stumbled across an online museum exhibit about Helena Wintour's embroideries. 

https://www.needlenthread.com/2023/08/helena-wintour-a-story-worth-seeing.html

The embroidery in question was done in the 16th and 17th Centuries for Catholic churches in England.  You'll remember in your history books that this is the time of Henry VIII and his banning of Catholicism.  In other words, this was a time when embroidering ecclesiastical designs for Catholic churches was very very dangerous indeed.  

The Stonyhurst website has a 20 minute video about Helena Wintour, the times she lived in, and the vestments she created.  Below the video are photos and videos of some of her embroidered vestments with information about the symbolism they contain.  Sadly, there isn't much that explains the techniques used.

https://www.stonyhurst.ac.uk/about-us/stonyhurst-college-historic-collections/exhibitions/hot-holy-ladies

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 3, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tracy Franklin Interview

Textile Artist has a wonderful interview with the British embroiderer Tracy Franklin.

https://www.textileartist.org/tracy-a-franklin-a-break-with-tradition/

I first noticed Tracy through her goldwork but she does crewel, pulled work and many other types of embroidery which you can see on her website.

https://www.tracyafranklin.com/

If you want to read more about Tracy and her embroidery, this older article from Piecework magazine may be of interest.

https://pieceworkmagazine.com/postcard-from-scotland-durham-cathedral-a-conversation-with-embroiderer-tracy-a-franklin/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 29, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stations of the Cross

Lin discovered tent stitched Stations of the Cross at the Episcopal Church in Breckenridge, Colorado and posted a lot of photos on NP Nation.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/5883301015080341/

It's an amazing series.  I hope some of us get to see them in person.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 13, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Nancy Lukoskie's Needlepoint Cleaning Tips

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Nancy Lukoskie of Fancy Work Finishing has posted her long awaited tips for cleaning needlepoint!

https://fancyworkfinishing.com/cleaning-your-needlepoint-pieces/

Nancy is an expert on ecclesiastical needlepoint and has cleaned and restored many pieces during her decades of designing church pieces.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright  February 2, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing and Blocking Needlepoint Videos

Nancy Lukoskie of Fancywork Finishing is retiring from her ecclesiastical needlework business, but she's making and selling a series of videos that distill her years of experience in blocking, restoring, cleaning and finishing needlepoint.

The videos are listed on the Instructional Videos section of her website.

https://fancyworkfinishing.com/instructional-videos/

Nancy has a free video on how to make monk's braid, which she prefers to twisted cord.  It gives you a taste of everything she has to offer.

https://fancyworkfinishing.com/ecclesiastical-needlepoint/

Nancy also talks about blocking on her blog.

https://fancyworkfinishing.com/needlepoint-blocking/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 15,  2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thirty-Two Years of Stitching

Thanks to Allison posting about this to NP Nation, I have a link describing a church congregation's thirty-two year journey stitching needlepoint cushions.  There are photos at the top of the article and a video embedded in the middle.

https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2022/05/portland-church-members-have-been-stitching-needlepoint-pew-cushions-for-32-years-theyre-finally-done.html?utm_campaign=theoregonian_sf&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3Za6M51Mv02_f5RpJ8ca5hkAvKIRTccJnqHo2kwMLEGiid4nsPkpOygEU

Kudos to the wonderful folks who pulled this off.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 17, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Nancy Lukoskie and the Needlepoint of the National Cathedral

This is the presentation at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. that Nancy Lukoskie of Fancy Work Finishing did in 2014.  It is a great Thanksgiving treat that sheds light on ecclesiastical needlepoint creation, restoration and the planning involved in stitching such pieces.

https://fancyworkfinishing.com/nancy-lukoskies-presentation-of-the-washington-national-cathedrals-needlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 28, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Needle Art Love Story, Chapter 8 UPDATED

Chapter VIII of A Needle Art Love Story is happening June 10-13, 2021 in Fort Worth.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3944865092257286/

Tickets went on sale May 1.

UPDATE:  Here are the kneelers on display plus a bit more about the exhibit.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4051970348217849&set=gm.4051901638220297

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 5, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Celtic Illuminated Manuscript Designs

Joseph M. Dunn created an original series of needlepoint designs based on Medieval Celtic patterns in illuminated manuscripts.  You can see his work on Needlepoint Nation and read a bit about them at this link.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3803066523103811/

Lovely work!  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 17, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Stations of the Cross: A Movie

Thanks to Ginger I have a link to a video tour of the Stations of the Cross stitched for Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory University campus in Atlanta, Georgia.  It's a lovely thing to watch on this special Easter Sunday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o3B5HoLVZk&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR38rhSfUVfoO5Pcmy2joM_iG5PdJ0_L-SC0lAMVyt4TGj77dm1xmjXaADM

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Inspirations Magazine Profiles Ecclesiastical Needlepoint

Inspirations magazine posts an online newsletter each Friday. It's always full of beautiful pictures but once I managed to drag my eyes away from the new book on Betsy Morgan's etuis (due out in late October; I've seen her needlework in person and it is gorgeous!),  I discovered a reader note about 23 kneelers, designed by Benjamin Pollack, stitched for a church in Sydney, Australia.  The photos are wonderful!
https://mailchi.mp/inspirationsmagazine/embroidery-news-issue-461343?e=cb5b277f1f

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 19, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Book from the Author of The Girl with the Pearl Earring UPDATED

There's a new book out from Tracy Chevalier, whom you probably know as the author of The Girl with the Pearl Earring.  And guess what?  It's about NEEDLEPOINT!
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/80675-tracy-chevalier-is-threading-the-past.html?fbclid=IwAR1ciC2zFDCC62vZ6tJWAT-HTuTEvSuj3e-oaf51th6EETiUjwjeO4yNBbo

More specifically, ecclesiastical needlepoint created in the 1930s in the Winchester Cathedral in England.  The book comes out in early September 2019 but I'm telling you now so you can get on your library waiting list for it.

Many thanks to Tara for the heads up.

UPDATE:  The character in the book who designed the church kneelers and cushions and inspired folks to stitch them was a real person.  You can read a bit about her and see a few of the cushions from Winchester Cathedral on Travy Chevalier's website.
https://www.tchevalier.com/a-single-thread-background/louisa-pesel-and-canvas-embroidery

UPDATE #2:  Here's an interview with the author.  You can read the summary or listen to the interview here.
https://www.npr.org/2019/09/29/765119844/tracy-chevalier-says-a-single-thread-can-make-all-the-difference?fbclid=IwAR3Qb0Jx7iUUcHmITicwosSrtDZbumpdYCPRKQn2foE673lI4jA52yU5oj0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 13, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cathedral Birds

The Golden Gate Audubon Society in California just published an article about bird needlepoint cushions in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral.  Bird lovers and those who admire ecclesiastical embroidery will enjoy reading about the flock stitched for the various areas.
https://goldengateaudubon.org/blog-posts/cathedral-birds-in-stitches/?fbclid=IwAR2lcdjpxHbUSktqlSpei_exHoA6zZ9JcsXX5jN2KHfI1H18uX-ZR4vxSAA

If you are in the area, this list tells you what bird species are where.  Tours can be arranged.
https://goldengateaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/BIRDS-IN-GRACE-CATHEDRAL-CHOIR-NEEDLEPOINT-2.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
logging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2019 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.