Is the velvet riding up the front of your kneelers? Is the needlepoint disappearing down the back? Many people slide onto kneelers, which pushes the top fabric towards the back boxing. It is a fairly common problem, and not very hard to remedy. Get someone to help you, and make it into a fun job — the kneelers will look so much better after you straighten them back out!

Put the kneeler bottom-side-up on a CLEAN table or other flat surface so you are in a comfortable position to work on it.

1. Turn the kneeler so the long edge of fabric that is disappearing over the side is away from you.
2. Place your hands flat at the center of that long edge, and drag the fabric towards your body as far as it will move without serious resistance. Have your helper hold the kneeler in place for you.
3. Use your flat hands to slide the excess fabric down over the edge towards the front of the kneeler, then turn the kneeler right side up with the excess away from you.
4. Use your flat hands to slide the excess fullness towards your body, then slide the excess down the front edge.
5. Turn it over again, and work the excess across the bottom.
6. Repeat these steps until the top is centered, front to back. You may need to do it several times a year until the kneelers are refinished, but the difference in appearance is well worth the effort

Bid Drake, an internationally known ecclesiastical needlepoint specialist, wrote the “Guide to Church Needlepoint Care and Maintenance”.  She is a member of the Altar Guild at St. James the Apostle in Conroe, Texas, a member of NAGA and an advertiser in the Epistle. To contact her, please email BDrake@BCDdesigns.com