A Brief  History of  Russian Punch Needle Embroidery

Create and Decorate magazine project; Feb 2006, Sean O'Brien Photography

Russian Needle Punch Embroidery has an unique history.

Here's a brief history according to Linda Repasky from Woolen Whimsies &Jim and Kristan at CTR Needleworks

Miniature needle punch embroidery has been around for a very long time. Ancient Egyptians were among the first to employ this technique by using the hollow bones of birds' wings as needles. The technique was used throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, often to elaborately decorate ecclesiastical clothing and panels. In modern times, it has been associated with embroidery work done by Russian immigrants belonging to a religious sect called The Old Believers.

During the reign of Peter the Great in the 17th century, the Russian Orthodox Church was going through a period of change. A new leadership made reforms, mostly to worship rituals, that some rejected. Those opposed to modernization split from the church. They were severely persecuted, first by the reforming leadership, then by the Tsars. These Old Believers were scattered into remote areas of Russia and around the world.  Some settled in America. There are several clusters in the U. S., but the largest concentration of 'Old Believers' in the United States is near Portland, OR. In some ways, they are like the Amish. They stay mostly to themselves, and reject many things in modern culture. Some of their more unique ways include the following:

They use the Russian Orthodox calendar (Christmas comes two weeks later), rather than our (Gregorian) calendar .

They worship in Slavonic, a Russian dialect.

They don't like to eat from plates or use other implements that have been used by a 'non-believer.'

The technique of needle punch embroidery is an art form started and perpetuated by their reclusive culture. For centuries, the Old Believers have made embroidered embellishments, mostly for their clothing.

Russian Punch Needle has been taught for many generations to the present day.

The original Old Believers needle was constructed from a bird's bone and only the size of a one strand needle.

Hope you enjoyed this brief history of the Old Believers. They are truly an amazing group of people.