Needlework of All Kinds

The current Home and Hearthexhibit at The Kelly showcases many quilts, antique and new, large, small and even teeny tiny miniatures. However, quilting is just one of the many types of stunning needlework on display.

We have knitted caps, scarves, socks, 3D grapes and intarsia knitting with the face of Michelangelo’s David. We have a crocheted afghan, a Viking hat (yes, crocheted), and an exquisite antique tablecloth….a hand-appliqueed antique dress and machine-appliqueed clothing and wall hangings….crewelwork and needlepoint pictures and pillows….cross-stitch Christmas stockings and samplers, and unusual wool cross-stitch too…smocked dresses…French hand-sewn children’s clothing….even antique drawn work altar cloths…some examples of weaving and pin-weaving….also some thread painting….and exquisite embroidery by Sherry Watkins (see photo above). So many needles, so many stitches!

This exhibit is scrumptious in its detail and rich with a wide array of techniques. Pick up a guide booklet to flip through to have all these samples identified and get some of the interesting facts and back stories. You can browse at your own pace. The Kelly is now open Thursday and Friday afternoons, 1-6 p.m., and Saturdays, 12-5 a.m.