New Pastoral and Priest Stole Patterns

Pattern-making has been going on in full force behind the scenes at Ecclesiastical Sewing. This weekend we are pleased to announce 3 new pastoral or priest stole patterns have been added to our line of products.  Now you might be scratching your head in wonder as to why more pastoral or priest stole patterns are needed. After all, isn’t one stole pattern basically the same as another – just a long piece of fabric thrown around the neck, right?  Well, stoles are not quite that simple. There are subtle differences that when taken into account can make a big difference in the appearance of the finished stole. And just as people come in all shapes and sizes, and one garment does not fit all sizes, so too, one pastoral or priest stole does not fit all pastors or priests. The sizes, heights, widths, and lengths of the clergy are as unique and different as imaginable.

And so, it is unrealistic to expect that one stole pattern will be suitable for every member of the clergy. And sometimes, different vestments look better with a different style of stole. One stole pattern is simply not enough to fit every need and purpose. If you have been making stoles for a while, you may feel as I do about the need for additional stole patterns.

Customizing Pastoral Stoles

I find stole-making is so much fun. In a little more than a day or so, a stole can be completed. And the more stoles I make, the more the ideas continue to flow – wider, longer, shorter, narrow, with trim, without, add embroideries, orphreys, tassels………….and the list goes on.  The possibilities are endless. As I get to know the people for whom the stoles are intended or the purpose behind a commission or request, the ability to customize the stole to a specific need has given rise to the creation of this line of pastoral stole patterns. Yes, I have my go-to pattern, the 4 1/2 in pastoral stole pattern that is used day in and day out, but there are those times when something just a bit different fits better.

Here is the perfect example – a young pastor, who is fresh out of seminary. He is athletic, fit and trim, tall and lean. The traditional stole pattern I had used for what seemed forever on other pastors simply did not work on the slighter, longer frame of the young pastor. Hence the need for the creation of our first stole pattern.

 Stole Pattern: 3 1/2 Inch

The first new stole pattern is a 3 1/2 inch pastoral, priest or deacon stole which has two lengths options of 46″ and 55″.  This stole pattern in the narrower width works well for someone needing a deacon stole that is worn on the side, and which can later be converted to a priest stole worn at the front. This is also a great option for someone with a medium or tall frame that is more on the slender side. It also works well on many other figure and body styles, including larger and fuller figures.

I know several young seminarians, and when they are ready for their pastoral stoles, this will be the recommended pattern for several of them. I refer to this as “not looking like they are wearing their grandfather’s stole which is too large for them” syndrome. Oftentimes, young seminarians, need to “grow into” a stole.  As they mature, the other stole styles will work well, but this may be a great pattern for that first stole. And that is not to say they will “outgrow this style in the future. The stole will work for many figure types. This stole, as well as all of our stoles has three separate pattern pieces for face fabric, interfacing fabric, and lining fabric designed with our signature look and finish.

The V-neck Stole

The V-neck stole pastoral stole pattern is wider, broader, and longer than the other stole patterns. This stole has a 56″ length and is approximately 5″ wide.  The additional width and length are wonderful for use with embroidery or other forms of embellishment. Often a stole is used to “tell a story” in symbols and embroidery. This stole pattern allows a great deal of space for telling tales and teaching lessons. Imagine the Christmas story conveyed in a star radiating light to a manger scene with the shepherd. Or perhaps an Easter scene needs to be conveyed with the empty tomb and the stone rolled away as the sun dawns on a new world. Whatever the purpose of the desired image is, this stole allows enough width and length to create a scene to teach important Biblical messages. The stole back sits slightly away from the neckline, making it the perfect option for use over an alb.  Because this stole sits slightly away from the back neckline, it is not the best stole to use when wearing other vestments such as chasubles. For the bigger, taller pastor or priest, this might be a nice option as well.

The Tapered Stole

The Tapered Pastoral or Priest Stole Pattern is the final style in our new trio of pastoral and priest stole patterns that starts narrow at the center back neckline and tapers to a graceful end in either a short or long length. This style of stole looks lovely when used with a round neck surplice.  The wider end at the bottom works well for hand or machine embroidery designs or other embellishments such as orphrey bands.  This stole style is a classic design that has been around for a long while and still is a popular choice. The length options are 43″ and 52″ long.

The 4 1/2 Inch Stole Pattern

And of course, our standard 4 1/2 inch Pastoral or Priest Stole Pattern is part of our Ecclesiastical Sewing Grand Opening Special. When you purchase a stole-making kit, you may receive a copy of the 4 1/2 inch pastoral stole pattern free from now until December 31, 2016.

Quality Patterns  Made by Expert

All of our patterns have been created with the aid of a professional pattern maker to ensure that the seams, linings, and interfacing pieces work and fit together well. We have taken extra care to provide high-quality pattern-making skills and aids such as a proper grain line, lengthening and shortening lines, and notches to aid in construction. (Thanks, Kimberly!) We have tested the patterns and construction techniques and developed a nice booklet with photos to explain the making of pastoral stoles.

If you have ever wanted to give stole making a try, this is the perfect time with the free pattern offer.  The stole-making kits are available in a wide range of colors and fabrics which are sure to fit almost any Ecclesiastical Sewing project.

Finished Project

Here you can see how the finished 4 1/2″ pastoral stole will look.  The pattern has orphrey placement markings at the lower edge as well as on the chest level. The neckline is designed to fit smoothly and comfortably without being so wide as to ride up the back of the neck. There are also markings to place a small chain at the neckline to aid with holding the stole back a very slight amount from the neck.  The stole may be finished with or without tassels or fringe at the lower edge.

The above stole is our Alpha Omega Stole which will be on our website shortly.  This is the first style in our line of finished stoles which will be available for purchase, so stay tuned for that announcement. Wouldn’t this steal make a lovely gift in time for Christmas?

Soli Deo Gloria

Be sure to visit our online store front Ecclesiastical Sewing where you may shop for Liturgical Fabrics, altar linen fabrics, church vestment-making patterns, liturgical machine embroidery designs,  church vestment trims and notions and so much more. You may also find us on  Ecclesiastical Sewing on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page on our online store front and receive a free copy of our Small Linens Booklet as our way of saying thank you for following along.

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