Medieval Lady Kneeling at Lectern

Stitcher:

 Ann Strite-Kurz

Designer:

 Karen Eichorn

Location:

 This piece is hanging in my home in a somewhat unusual place for an embroidery.  When I stitched this design, I actually did the blackwork in a dark green thread rather than in the traditional black color of the original piece, because I intended to hang it in a room with other green accents. This was two moves ago. Now that we live in the Midwest, and we do not have frequent overnight guests, I decided to put it in the guest bathroom where few hot showers are taken. The small room is ideal for appreciating the intricate details in this sophisticated piece, and even "non-stitchers" often comment on how beautiful it is.

Description:

 I don't know if Karen ever knew this, but when my two sons saw the piece in progress and realized that I was changing the color of the blackwork, they nicknamed the piece "the praying mantis." We still affectionately refer to the piece with this name.

In 1980, I moved to Potomac, MD. Since I had just started teacher certification, I was eager to find a local shop to learn more about the needlework opportunities in the area. I started teaching some classes at the Yarn Palette in Springfield, VA, and during this period I learned about another teacher there who specialized in pulled thread. Karen's model of this piece was on display, and I immediately signed up for her class. I had taken other classes in this pulled-thread technique, but Karen's designs were exquisite as well as expertly executed, so I knew I would grow further. I always thought that pulled thread and blackwork were ideal counted-thread techniques together as foils to each other, and this design certainly proves my point.

The class was a wonderful experience, and I learned as much about color and design as I did about pulled thread since Karen had a general art background. Eventually, we both began to teach on a regional level, but sadly Karen was forced to stop teaching when arthritis made it difficult for her to stitch. This was a great loss to the needlework community, and I feel very fortunate to be one of the few who had the privilege of learning from her during her active teaching years. She not only set very high standards for herself, but she was always a lovely person who was very encouraging to her students. Gardening is now her artistic outlet, and I'm sure her garden in Springfield is equally beautiful during the warmer months!

In recent years, I haven't stitched as much on linen, and I doubt I could do as good a job on this piece today. I remember being very pleased that my example came out so nicely twenty years ago. I am delighted to be included in the What is Needlepoint 2002 selections, and I am so glad that I shared this piece in Albuquerque. I decided to submit this design to the exhibit after learning that the current national president, Janet Fishel, had chosen pulled thread as the featured technique for 2002. Little pulled thread is being done on canvas these days since we no longer have the soft OOE Congress cloth, and I was concerned that there would be a minimum of examples on display. Now I can only hope that one of my students will choose to exhibit one of my designs twenty years later!

Medieval Lady Kneeling at Lectern by Ann Strite-Kurz

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Last updated Monday, May 22nd, 2006