Embroidery is one of the oldest textile arts, examples of which have been found from hundreds of years before the time of Christ. It has spanned cultures and continents, and the basic stitches and techniques of hand embroidery have remain unchanged (machine embroidery is fairly new). Young and old alike enjoy this inexpensive and versatile craft.
Embroidery has included everything from monogramming initials to portraying detailed pictures of historical events. There are many subcategories of embroidery, such as cross stitch or candlewicking. Adding beauty to everyday items (pillow cases, handkerchiefs, kitchen linens, etc.) is a way to simultaneously exercise creativity and express love for the people who use those things.
1. Sashiko is Japanese embroidery that began as a way to mend or reinforce clothing, using eye-catching shapes and patterns. It typically uses white thread on denim colored fabric, and is now often applied decoratively. Pray for both the youngest and oldest two people in Japan who will do sashiko embroidery today, that they may have (and take) an opportunity to put their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.
2. Crewel embroidery uses wool threads to create designs. The wool thread is thicker than regular embroidery floss. Though originating in medieval England, today the center for crewel embroidery is Kashmir, India. Pray that a skilled crewel embroiderer in Kashmir will let the Good Shepherd work His design in her life, just as she does what she wills with the wool thread.
3. Pray for a Christian whose eyesight is decreasing, and with it the ability to thread a needle / embroider. Giving up a long-enjoyed hobby is difficult, so pray for God’s grace to continually encourage that person.
Matthew 21:22
