Needlepoint and Faith

As I grew up I often found myself spending the summers with my Aunt Pat and Uncle Tom’s house. They had five children, and I reveled in the fact that I could interact with other children. What made those summers even more engaging was the summer-themes my Aunt Pat concocted for us. One summer was a theme of embroidery.

I can still see all the iron-on patterns that were available for us to choose from, and I believe I have seen the same yellow packages in crafts stores today. We were allowed to use the pre-composed picture, or even cut out different patterns to invent our own picture to embroider.

We each had our own embroidery hoop, and selected bundles of embroidery threads. There weren’t any rules about color or pictures, the only thing we did, was learn the different technics of embroidery stitches, like the french knot, and how to outline, or do a loop. I remember making many, many mistakes, and ugly stitches throughout that summer.

What happened throughout the process, though, was a development of a love for embroidery, and the pictures that were produced by threads and needles. I continued throughout my life to embroider, which included embroidering a table cloth and napkins for my college roommate as a wedding gift. I loved her table cloth so much, I decided to do the same one for myself, which I still have after 48 years.

My first biblical project began on my trip to England, the UK. I was visiting my friend who had moved there with her new husband, and I decided to buy an embroidery kit to occupy my time. The scripture was the Twenty-Third Psalm. I created quite a stir when I switched out the colors the kit called for. My friend was appalled that I would change the color for the border, with the color I was supposed to use for the letters (it was apparent from the conversation that she followed rules, and I was more the free spirit kind of person—thanks to my Aunt Pat).

The project was quite enjoyable, since it was only cross-stitches and I didn’t have to create intricate stitches. I was quite pleased with the results, and that project, too, is still in existence. I keep it around to remind me that a person never has to create a project according to someone else’s concept of beauty; one can have one’s own concept of beauty.

I learned how to cross-stitch on a canvas in my twenties, when a good friend of mine, Greg, and I were shopping. I saw a cross-stitch canvas that had a cottage painted on it, and the garden and roof were done with threads for texture. I was fascinated, and Greg encouraged me to buy it. That project, also, is still part of my bedroom decor. I keep buying similar kits to work on because I like the combination of painting with cross-stitching with embroidery thread.

The project that I’m featuring in this story, is one I did twice. The first time I was inspired to buy the canvas, the different colored threads to my specifications, and a book showing different lettering for embroidery and cross-stitching. I came across Isaiah chapter 12 in my devotions when I resonated with the hope it provided me. I had such peace as I worked on it, perfecting my technique and coloring. I framed it and cherished it. However, I encountered a woman, who I felt, needed it more than I did. She had entered into one of those seasons we sometimes find ourselves in, when painful health issues collide with personal catastrophes, plus family situations that explode beyond our control.

I always meant to recreate that project for myself, and the time came when I was appointed to a church whose members had Isaiah 12 as their theme song. The song is called “The First Song of Isaiah,” and I resonated with their need to remind themselves of God’s love and hope for them. All of them had experienced the death of a child, not a 40-some year old child, but children between birth and 20 years old, through illnesses, and accidents. I decided the time had come for me to recreate Isaiah 12 for them and myself to hang in my church office.

I still find peace whenever I see that Isaiah 12 creation, and all the creations I embroidered, or cross-stitched over the years. Whenever I decide to create something I relish the ability to pick up cross-stitch canvases and the myriad of colored thread. I was given such a great gift by my Aunt Pat that has given me joy and pleasure throughout my lifetime.