Kit 82: Colonial Parish Etui

Size: Church Box: 4" x 5"

Linen: Belfast 32

Stitches: Belgian Cross, Broad Chain, Danish Knot, Detached Chain, Double Woven Buttonhole, Encroaching Cross, Fly, Four Corner Herringbone, Greek, Leaf, 1 over 1, Palestrina Knot, Raised Chain, Raised Herringbone, Rhodes, Victoria & Albert Herringbone, Williamsburg

Verse:
Thus the needle's work
Be so like to nature framed
As were her sister, or the same.
(John Taylor, 1631)


This architectural etui was inspired by Bruton Parish Church of Colonial Williamsburg, one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the United States. It is comprised of stitches and symbols related to Judeo-Christian tradition and motifs specific to Colonial Williamsburg, all of which are explained in the text of the instructions. The steeple opens to reveal a velvet pincushion in the belfry.
The verse from John Taylor (from his satire "Praise of the Needle"), though written several decades before Bruton Parish was built, was very likely known to some of the women in Colonial Williamsburg.
All the stitching accessories fit inside the box: Needlebook, Thimble Cage, Ruler, Kneeler Pincushion.

Contents: Linen, Anchor Floss, Hand dyed Floss, Wooden Beads, Crinoline, Mounting Boards, Gold-plated Needle