Cross Stitch Designer - A Stitch and a Prayer

Company Name and Designer: A Stitch and a Prayer is a company built on faith. Designer Vicki Schofield hopes that her designs will speak to the hearts of those who see and stitch them. She also hopes that each stitcher's skills will be expanded as she or he tries a new technique or material.

The Story of A Stitch and a Prayer - It Began With a Dream: Vicki Explains how she was inspired to start A Stitch and A Prayer. "Off and on for several years, I thought of owning my own needlework shop. I imagined how wonderful it would be to spend my days surrounded by fabrics and fibers and charts and on and on! I also loved the idea of being able to talk with customers who also loved needlework and to have the opportunity to teach others the craft (I taught high school science and computer courses before I began designing so teaching is very important to me)!"

The Story of A Stitch and a Prayer - The Dream Changes : Vicki continues, "Owning a shop would allow me to enjoy so many needlework-related experiences and enable me to share my Christian witness along the way. However, after much thought and prayer, “counting beans,” and considering the needs of my family, I realized that as wonderful as it seemed in my mind, owning a needlework shop was not for me."

"Instead, I began to hear the voice of God telling me that I could combine my love for needlework and my calling to share His love through original samplers of my own design."

The Story of A Stitch and a Prayer -A Step of Faith: "But I was skeptical. 'God,' I said, 'I’m not an artist. How can I do this?' In my heart I heard God answer, 'I will show you how — with my help you can do this!' And so here I am, with His guidance and inspiration, doing just that!

Themes of Designs: Many designs include Biblical sayings and verses. Vicki also designs charts with family and Southern (USA) themes.

Types of Flosses and Embellishments Used: The scripture-based samplers are usually band samplers that use hand-dyed flosses, beads, and stitches beyond the basic cross stitch. Detailed step-by-step instructions and diagrams are included with the patterns so that stitchers can learn the new stitched easily.

Stitching Level Required: According to Vicki, "My line of designs includes designs appropriate for all stitching levels. I also hope that the detailed instructions and diagrams will encourage stitchers to try new techniques and stitches."

Presentation of Patterns: Designs are packaged as multi-page chart packs. The chart packs include a color photo of the finished design, chart, instructions, diagrams and materials list.

A Stitch and A Prayer - Website Information: The A Stitch and A Prayer website includes photographs and information of designs. Vicki is happy to answer "how to" questions and to assist shoppers in finding a retail source for purchasing my designs. Visit her website at http://astitchandaprayer.com.