Church Needlepoint, especially if it isn’t kneelers can be mysterious for groups planning this kind of project. While kneelers are very common in the UK and growing in popularity in the US, these large scale projects open lots of questions.
Over the weekend I heard from a reader who wanted to know: ” I was wondering if you could direct me to a website that is knowledgeable in needlepointing communion rail cushions for churches.”
I love church needlepoint, but as far as I know there is no site talking about making them. There are several outstanding books about kneelers, but I’ve never seen any about communion rails.
I have a few guidelines though. Here are my tips for this or any other church needlepoint project.
- Use wool for the stitching, nothing else will wear as well.
- Use a larger mesh canvas, most kneelers use 10-mesh.
- Tent would be the best stitch because these will get more wear than
kneelers. - Because it’s a long length, you don’t want to do it all in one piece.
Think for logical places for the seams and use covered cord in the seam
(like on a pillow) to strengthen it and keep hands off it. - The hardest thing about this project will be figuring out the size.
Since you probably can’t take off the current upholstery to make a
pattern from it, you’ll have to measure. To do this measure the length
from end to end, including any area folded down on the ends that shows.
Then measure the width by using a fabric tape measure and measuring
over the rail from where it is attached to the other side in the same place. - When you mark out your canvas add 1″ on all sides to the total
measurement. You want this for seam allowance in finishing but also
because stitched needlepoint is slightly smaller than bare canvas. - When you make your design keep this extra in mind and don’t put
designs closer than about 1/2 inch from the exposed top (you don’t want
the designs to run down the sides. - Try to buy your threads in single dyelots as much as possible. That’s
another reason why dividing the railing is good. That way as long as
each section is a single dyelot, the next section could be a slightly
different dyelot because the cording will keep that from being noticed.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Lee Hanley says
One other thing. Be sure the canvas is painted with the red lines are horizontal – the wool , will work better and will look better and the finisher will be happy . Often the artist has the idea ,but has no knowledge about worp and waft. If I remember correctly get the finisher involved – at the front end…..otherwise things may not go so well with the finished project. Also the pieces are going to be large and will take more time then you think. Be sure the stitcher’s are aware , it seems like you will never see the end………..
Lois Threlkeld says
Janet,
I lead a committee to do altar rail kneelers for my church, St Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Knoxville TN.We completed 35 feet of kneelers at the altar rail. I completed the designs and did much of the stitching of the icons, with help from a committee of 8. I used 12 count canvas and Paternayan wool from Saco River Dyehouse in Biddeford Maine. I have saved several of your kneelers posted on Pinterest. I would love to share photos if you like.
Cathy Green says
RE: Altar rails. Given the current state of passing on illnesses through contact with inanimate objects, using a needlepoint covered altar rail instead of finished wood or brass does not make sense. Churches are gathering spots for persons with respiratory illnesses over the next 3-4 months. I have not seen
any product that can be used on needlepoint that can reduce the germ count and not damage the fibers. If I am mistaken, then please correct me.
I have been on 2 Altar Guilds and am a retired nurse with lots of infection control experience. I have been needlepointing for 50+ yrs.
Lois THRELKELD says
Are you referring to the rail or the cushion you kneel on? I agree the rail should not be covered. But I believe the cushion for kneeling on adds to the communion experience. No hands, or faces come in contact with the cushion meant for knees.
Janet M Perry says
I included in the article what was written to me. I am pretty sure the advice about germs refers to altar rails not to altar kneeler cushions.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Lois THRELKELD says
Thanks. I cannot imagine but I guess she wanted to needlepoint the rails.
Celeste McLaughlin says
Any ideas where to find patterns for needlepoint kneelers? Ours were destroyed in Harvey flood. Each depicted a book of Old Testament. We salvaged one.
Janet M Perry says
There are some books with patterns, mostly small that are designed for church needlepoint. These are charted patterns. I think Designing Women has several books of charted patterns of crosses and Christian symbols, also small. All these charts use only whole stitches, so they can easily be done in needlepoint.
in terms of inspiration there are several older books, mostly English, on kneelers. There is one fairly recent book call The New Church Kneeler Book. There are also a fair number of pictures on kneelers on the Web.
If you want to spring for kits, there is a British company, Jacksons of Hepden Bridge, https://churchkneelers.com, that has many church kneelers.
Finally there are some really good books of church symbols the are simple and which could be enlarged to be the basis of needlepoint.
Good Luck!
Keep stitching
Janet
Saint Philip's Episcopal Church says
Are there any groups that welcome the opportunity of needlepoint commissioned work?
Our church is wanting several boxed needlepoint cushions for the pews. Our organist
made a beautiful one for our 200th anniversary a few years ago ~ we would love more!
We have many sewers in the parish but only 1 needlepointer.
Any advise and or places to purchase church patterns are appreciated.
many thanks~ pam smith
Virginia Pitta says
Our needlepoint altar rail kneeler project at The Church of the Holy Cross in Paris, Texas consists of
1 (19″ H X 56″L) and 6 (19″ H X 41″ L) kneelers. They seem dauntingly large; the boxing is painted as part of the tops.
Do you have a suggestion about a frame, roller bar, etc. that would make the handling of such a large piece easier and more comfortable for the stitcher? We have stitched nave kneelers that are even longer, and stitching in basket weave, we had so little distortion, no frame was required. This project is a bit different.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Janet M Perry says
My suggestion is to contact K’s Creations in Austin. They make some pretty large scroll frames. They also make belt frames, which have an outside frame to make things stiff (you can see one in this post). There might bo one wide enough for your use.
They also do custom work.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Lois Threlkeld says
I was in charge of kneelers for St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Knoxville TN and we used K’s Creations scroll frames. They have various widths and hold tight when scrolling through the needlepoint.
Lois Threlkeld says
I agree with you! k’s Creatiobs worked well for two Knoxville churches that I was involved with.