Almost 148 years ago, in January 1876, ten Roman Catholic sisters-exiles under Bismarck's Kulturcampf fled Germany for the Warwickshire market town of Southam.

The Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus, founded in 1844, devoted their lives to the education and care of disadvantaged children.

A Convent was established in Wood Street, Southam and, shortly after, five sisters who were trained embroiderers, came to set up a workroom to help finance their work with children.

It was said to have produced some of the most beautiful vestments in the world.

As well as working with architects (including Thomas Garner of Wasperton), and designers they produced their own designs and created a palette of fine hair-silks for each embroidery.

The work attracted commissions from notable families for use in abbeys, cathedrals, convents and churches (including Southam, Coventry and Rugby).

It was a truly commercial enterprise, run by a remarkable group of professional women, even though the embroiderers often had to leave the workroom to go where they were most needed in one of the Congregation's schools or children's homes elsewhere or, to work on the convent farm and, during World War I, at the local VAD hospital.

Embroidery of St John Fisher on a chasuble (image supplied)

They established an orphanage, children's home and school at Southam.

The convent closed in 2005 but the Retreat House remains.

Gillian Grute's recently published 'Heavenly Embroidery' reveals the stories behind the astonishing creations, giving fascinating insights into embroidery, textiles, church vestments and convent life.

Her interest in the embroidery began over 20 years ago when studying for an MA in the Histories of Art & Design at UCE in Birmingham.

Her research has taken her to Roman Catholic establishments throughout England, Aachen Cathedral in Germany and the Congregation's motherhouse in Holland.

Gillian has worked closely with the sisters at Southam and, in 2005, curated the successful 'Skilful Hands & Gladsome Hearts' exhibition of their work at Rugby Art Gallery & Museum.

An Anglican, she lives in Coventry and was educated at St Josephs Convent, Kenilworth.

Gillian is a practicing needlewoman and has written for needlework magazines and Catholic history journals.

The book, 'Heavenly Embroidery', priced £14 99 (+postage) can be obtained from Gracewing Publishers.