Kneelers: The Unsung Folk Art of England and Wales

Kneelers is a celebration of the design and craft of church kneelers in England and Wales over the past ninety years, featuring charming stories and enchanting designs from churches across the country. It traces the history of kneelers, from their spectacular beginnings at Winchester in the 1930s to their booming popularity after Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and the present-day congregations who are keeping the tradition alive.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

A captivating and humorous journey through the quirky yet widespread art of embroidering kneeler cushions. The perfect Christmas gift for kneeler enthusiasts and those who may not yet appreciate their charm!

Discover a delightful exploration of a nearly vanishing craft that lies literally at our feet...

Inventive and intriguing, The Oldie, Best Reads for All Ages, presents this Christmas a treasure trove of a collection by Amber Butchart, BBC's The Great British Sewing Bee.

I believe I have stumbled upon the finest non-fiction book of 2023! Reverend Richard Coles, author of A Murder Before Evensong, praises Kneelers as a celebration of the most widely practiced yet often overlooked folk art in England and Wales over the past ninety years: the design and craft of church kneelers.

Featuring charming anecdotes and enchanting designs from churches across the country, the book traces the history of kneelers, from their spectacular beginnings at Winchester in the 1930s to their booming popularity after Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and the present-day congregations who are keeping the tradition alive.

In their range and diversity, the kneelers collected here form a fascinating social record of the concerns and interests that occupied their makers, including local fauna and flora, cricket, dragons, post-war tributes, and the thrills of high-speed travel.

Filled to the brim with beautiful full-color images, Kneelers showcases the quirky artistry and widely varied (and often surprising) motifs that have characterized church kneelers in the twentieth century. It rejoices in the personal stories of some of the people who have practiced and advanced the art form, and is a wonderful commemoration of what happens when communities come together to celebrate their history and their heritage.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 188 x 231 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784743963