finishing the memorial textiles
May 15, 2008 by Chloe Findlay-Harder
Filed under Home & Living
I thought I should share with you what I’ve been working on for the past several weeks… As you know, I’ve been working with my mom, Noreen, to create a set of memorial textiles (antependia – or sacred textiles) for my grandmother’s church.
It’s been exactly a year ago today that my beloved Nana passed away and it’s been deeply moving process to create a tribute to my grandmother, together with my mother. The sense of repeating the same actions that women have been doing since to dawn of time (weaving and hand-sewing) has been a lovely way to honor my Nana.
I used rayon velvet for the tops and 100% cotton sheeting for the lining. The embroidered motifs were part of the church’s last set of runners & banners. I carefully removed them from the old runners and then stitched them to the new ones. I think that this is the third time the embroideries have been re-stitched to something new, judging from the layers of thread on the back!
Noreen wove strips of brocade on her inkle loom and I hand-sewed everything together – I’ve been hand-sewing daily for weeks now!
The altar cloth:
Embroidered detail from the altar cloth:
A runner for under another memorial:
It was important to have the textiles labeled, so I created a computer-printed label using pre-treated silk sheets. It’s archival and a great way to permanently label any kind of fabric artwork.
The pulpit banner:
And last, but not least, a matching pair of table runners:
I found the whole process was deeply moving and am so grateful that I was able to create the textiles!
Oh my darling girl, you have done such a beautiful job! Your Nanna is thrilled, I am sure! Thank you thank you thank you!
Love,
Mum
Chloe, this is so stirring. I am so proud of the memorial you and Mum created. I expect Nana and Grandpa are beaming too.
Love
Dad
What a wonderful way to remember your grandma.
What a lovely tribute. If I were typing this on paper, you would see the tear stains. This is just touching. I love the label, as well – lest anyone forget.
These are beautiful, Chloe and Noreen. What a wonderful way to demonstrate how much you loved Mum/Nana/Grace. The love and care you’ve woven and sewn into these cloths is a powerful tribute and part of the family legacy. And like Eileen, my tears are splashing on the keyboard.
Thank you so much.
Beautiful, Chloe and Noreen! What a wonderful tribute.
How beautiful, how moving. Well done! I’m sure that your Nana will be beaming with love & light to see the care and love that you and your mom have put into this tribute.
Hugs,
Terri
beautiful, absolutely beautiful
Very lovely and moving Chloe.
This is a beautiful and lasting gift. I have embroidered white on white for an urn cover and am now looking for a lace knitting pattern for our altar for “ordinary time”.