Sandy Spring in Stitches

Join Sandy Spring Friends Meeting’s Sandy Spring in Stitches community embroidery project! This project is inspired by the Quaker Tapestry Project in Kendall, England, consisting of 77 embroidered panels documenting Quaker history. Our project will celebrate the history of Sandy Spring, Maryland and its Quaker roots. As Anne Wynn-Wilson, founder of the Quaker Tapestry, wrote: “By considering our history we will be drawing strength and inspiration from the past, and by creating something worthwhile, we affirm our faith in the future.”

The Sandy Spring in Stitches project has been conceived of as a crewel embroidery project, in the style of the Quaker Tapestry Project. Crewel is an ancient surface embroidery method using wool yarn to create a thick, textured, three-dimensional appearance. This technique rose in popularity during the 17th Century in Britain, just as Quakerism was developing as a religious movement.

If you have ideas for panels, enjoy drawing and designing, like history and research, or want to embroider or learn to embroider, we hope you will join us as we build community, learn about our rich shared heritage, and craft something beautiful for ourselves and future generations! All are welcome (not just Quakers!) including folks of any age and skill level.

We anticipate hosting a workshop with Bridget Guest, manager of the Quaker Tapestry Museum for 27 years, in the future. Watch this space for details!

Want to meet the Friends spearheading this project? Come visit Sandy Spring Friends Meeting’s open house on Sunday, September 13, where we’ll have a table with info about the project, books, and sample embroidery during our Quaker cookout!

For more information or to ask questions, email office@sandyspring.org to be connected with the project organizers.

Images from the Quaker Tapestry Museum: quaker-tapestry.co.uk