Wartime Stitching

      Stitching is a way to heal the soul and the body. As stitchers we understand, often first-hand, how the repetitive action of doing stitches is calming. Our minds become clear, and our body relaxes. Stitching is also a way to improve hand-eye coordination, work with physical therapy, and experience a sense of accomplishment.  For fellow stitcher Pam Jordan, embroidery's ability to heal was shown in her own family. This is her story.

My stepfather’s grandfather came home from World War I and while he was in hospital, he along with other servicemen, were given stitching to help with shell shock. Like many men of his generation, he didn't share much about his time in the war. Unfortunately, his life was cut short due to mustard gas poisoning.  

We have some stitching he created, and we didn't know why he created it until we were contacted by St Paul's Cathedral in 2014. We were surprised to learn that his name was on the list of servicemen who had contributed to sewing an altar cloth for the Cathedral. The alter cloth was on display until World War II when it was removed for safety. The church was bombed and the alter clothe he and his fellow servicemen worked on don't fit the new alter, so their worked remained in storage. 

It wasn't until the centenary celebrations that we were able to see his creation: the altar cloth that was pieced together from different pieces of stitching that each serviceman had sewn whilst in a different hospital.  My family, along with the families of servicemen who worked on the alter cloth, came together to honor work through a commemorate service at St. Paul's Cathedral. It was such an honor seeing the altar cloth, learning its story, and speaking to other people whose family members contributed to its creation.  We hope that he went to see unveiling of the altar cloth when it was first put on display, but we will never know.

I started stitching when very young. I think the first piece I finished, a piece of cross stitch, was when I was about 10 years old. Stitching is very therapeutic (unless you make a mistake and have to unpick it). I have stitched with friends during the pandemic, virtually and together when we could, and we all found this to be helpful and calming.  You can lose yourself and forget everything when sewing.

I, along with a group of friends, joined a stitch group started by Helen Birmingham. The intent of the group is to help with mindfulness. The projects we create raise money for Mind, an association that deals with mental health well-being. We did a heart project that was all about World War I and stitched hearts that were sent to soldiers by their wives, girlfriends etc. 

We went to see the exhibition of the hearts in Scarborough, and it was so moving to see all the work everyone had put in.  Helen made a book of the hearts for us to purchase which is a very special memory and my hearts are displayed at home.  We also did a stitch book project during lockdown which helped us. We did Zoom calls and stitched, and then met up when we could.  She also did an exhibition of the stitch book project.