Greenwich fabric company designing fabrics for papal visit

GREENWICH, Conn. (WABC) -- A fabric company in Connecticut is weaving its way into history as it prepares to play a special role during the papal visit to New York City.

Tiger Lily's in Greenwich is designing the cushions for the pope's chair along with hundreds of linens.

The pontiff asked that every part of the chair, even the cushions, be constructed by immigrants.

For the company, it was a labor of love.

"There was an old client of mine, she walked into the store and said she had a small project and was I interested. And then, as I showed her some fabrics, she gave me the specs, she loved it, and then she said, 'OK, I'm going to tell you who the client is.' And we were just really shocked," said Samantha Knapp, co-owner.

The linens will used during mass at Madison Square Garden.

Many will be used to wipe the challis during communion; others will be folded and placed on the altar.