Winged Vignettes is one of many collaborative works of art that bring together the creative talents of Threads of Blessing artists in Uganda and volunteer artists in the United States.
This beautiful textile art quilt features 12 individually hand-embroidered scenes created by Ugandan women artists, thoughtfully incorporated into a unified composition by textile artist and Threads of Blessing volunteer Karen Short.
From a collection of more than 500 embroidered works, Short carefully selected 12 pieces celebrating one of Uganda’s most captivating natural treasures—its extraordinary birdlife. Home to more than 1,000 bird species, Uganda provides endless inspiration for the women, who frequently feature birds in their colorful and intricate embroidery.
To honor each artist’s individual vision, Short preserved the original shape of each embroidered block, allowing its unique contours and patterns to guide the quilt’s design and stitching. The batik fabric, which represents nature’s leaves, was chosen to encompass the blocks. The result is a harmonious composition that celebrates the individuality of each artist while beautifully illustrating the power of collaboration across continents.
“The beautiful, brightly colored, creative embroidery pieces depicting life through a woman’s eye in a faraway place have always taken my breath away.
"The women-created life illustrations' use of thread and stitch variations on a blank canvas is remarkable. When I consider the resources these women have and what they create, contrasted with my resources and what I can create, I am truly humbled.
As a lover of textiles and quilting, I wanted to support these creative Ugandan spirits, which is how the quilt came to life. My hope with this collaborative work is that twelve women will benefit simultaneously from the sale of this one piece.”
Winged Vignettes
Hand-stitched embroidery, quilting
54" x 58.25"
$1,850
Meet the Ugandan Artists
Sonia Katusiime - Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese
Sonia lives in a village near Hoima in western Uganda. She works hard in her garden, growing crops to sell at the market and feed her family. She offers this testimony as a member of Threads of Blessing.
“I got some money. The Lord helped me. I then paid for the children’s school fees, and the rest I used for farming.”
Margaret Onzia - Kampala Diocese
"I am a single mother, and I have faced many challenges. There were times when I worried about how I would pay rent, support my family, and provide an education for my children. Through the prayers, mentorship, and support of fellow members, I have learned that I am not alone. The friendships and fellowship I have found here have strengthened my faith and helped me overcome difficulties that once seemed impossible. The income from my needlework has helped me pay rent and meet important household needs. One of my greatest joys has been to enable my daughter to earn a university degree.”
Elseba Ukwong- Nebbi Diocese
Elseba lives in Goli, a small village in northwest Uganda close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Glory be to God, our helper. This is my 13th year in Threads of Blessing. I have been able to build a strong house, pay my children's school fees, and buy a goat that now has three kids. My oldest daughter is now a nursery school teacher, and the other is in secondary school. I have also made many new friends, including the teams from the United States.”
Stella Arutu - Soroti Diocese
Stella lives in Eastern Ugandan, and meets with her Threads of Blessing stitching group weekly, where the women support and learn from one another.
“I would like to thank God for His mightiness and for Threads of Blessing. With the first money I had, I bought chicken. This has multiplied, and some I use for home consumption, for visitors in the clergy’s home, and to buy goats which I hope to sell for school fees.”
Enid Kyarikunda - Masindi-Kitara
Enid lives in Masindi, Uganda, a town in the northwest near the Congolese border. Women from this area have only recently become involved with Threads of Blessing, but they are already producing fine art work.
Enid will use the funds she receives from her needlework to provide education for her children; medical support for herself and her family; seeds or fertilizer for her crops; maintenance and repairs to her home; and provide for any orphans for whom she cares as a result of the poverty, HIV or other illnesses.
Molly Ujukuru - Nebbi Diocese
“I am so happy to be in Threads of Blessing. I have newly joined. I am a married woman with four children; three girls and one boy. Every time I make a piece, I know there is someone who will bless me, and I am glad you are there.
Each time one of my pieces is sold, I pay school fees. This time I bought two goats. I have seen many women blessed by Threads of Blessing. God Bless you as you bless others.”
Kavina Odongkara - Lango Diocese
Kavina lives in Lira, a town in the far north of Uganda, close to the Sudanese border. For 25 years, this region experienced the horrors of war, and thankfully has relative peace now. Threads of Blessing started a group in Lira and Kitgum to bring hope to these communities. Kavina will use the funds she receives from her needlework to provide education for her children, medical support for her family and seeds for her crops.
Elizabeth Asiimwe - Kitara- Kampala Diocese
“I am a single mother, aged 37 years, with two children. I am also a businesswoman.”
Elizabeth lives in Katwe, a suburb of Kampala. She will use the funds she earns through the sale of her needlework to provide medical support for herself and her family, seeds or fertilizer for her crops, small livestock purchases, repairs to her home or the construction of a new one, and provide for the orphans in her care as a result of HIV, poverty or other illnesses.
Betty Mbabazi – Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese
Betty lives in Hoima, Uganda, in the Bunyoro-Kitara district in western Uganda. Living in a small brick house, Betty’s life revolves around caring for her family and her crops.
She will use the funds she receives from her needlework to provide education for her children; medical support for herself and her family; seeds or fertilizer for her crops; repairs to her home, or even begin to build a new one; and provide for any orphans for whom she cares as a result of poverty, HIV and other illnesses.
Phiona Tumusiimi - Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese
Phiona lives in the Bunyoro-Kitara region, which is located in mid-western Uganda. She meets regularly with her stitching group, where the women learn and support one another.
Phiona will use the funds she receives from her work to provide education for her children; medical support for herself and her family; seeds or fertilizer for her crops; repairs to her home, or build a new one; and provide for any orphans in her care.
Winy Ajok - Lango Diocese
Winy lives in the Lango Diocese, located in the sub-region of Northern Uganda. Its headquarters are situated in Boroboro, just outside Lira City, which serves as the central hub for the area. Winy is one of 900 Threads of Blessing artists. The money she earns from her stitching is life-changing. It enables her to help support her family, pay for education and medical needs, and buy seeds and fertilizer for her crops.
Jovanice Nuwagaba West Ankole Diocese
Jovanice lives in West Ankole in western Uganda. The stitching group she belongs to was started in 2020, just before the pandemic and lockdown, so getting started was a challenge for the members.
“I thank the Lord who brought to us to the wonderful Threads of Blessing. It has made me busy working, and we have done good work. May God bless Threads of Blessing and the team.”
For more information, or to purchase Winged Vignettes, please contact:
Helen Schnelzer at helen@schnelzer.org