GOLDFINCH 1
54cm x 101cm
velvet, linen thread, Japanese gold
needlepoint lace, gold embroidery

GOLDFINCH 2
56cm x 102cm
linen
weave; convent stitch,
pattern-related embroidery

To relate embroidery to a weave pattern by chance could have happened from time to time in history. But unfortunately not very much is known about this method.

As a pupil in Magdeburg I learned pattern-related embroidery, as it was developed in several clerical workshops belonging to the protestant church. The technique was developed after World War I and then continued until 1989. Those particular workshops were run by deaconesses. In the beginning of that period the workshops co-operated with each other. They taught different techniques and exchanged experts.

In the 1920’s Germany was still shaken by war. This caused a rethinking in the protestant church. One focused on the essence of belief and life. A back-to-the-roots movement started and caused a reformation of clerical textiles as well. Before that reformation textiles in churches were made as glorious and exclusive as possible. After that they were made with natural material. In the beginning all material was linen. They were completely be made by hand – hand spun, hand woven, dyed naturally and hand embroidered in a more modest way.

The intention to make a difference was understandable but something was missing. As it often happens in life: You want to make something in a new way but what you achieve is the opposite. Something important can get lost.

When the first works of the new stile were ordered from the clerical workshops World War II had almost started.