A confessional stole is a short, narrow stole a priest wears around the neck when hearing confessions. Violet, the color of penance, is traditional for it. Our reversible pattern pairs a violet side with a white side, the penitential violet traditional to confession and a clean white face for other uses, so a single stole does the work of two. Narrow and simple to construct, it is one of the most approachable vestments for a church sewer to make.

What is a confessional stole?

The stole is the sign of the priestly office, worn whenever a priest administers a sacrament. When hearing confessions, the priest wears a stole, and by long custom it is violet, the color of penance and preparation. Because it is worn simply around the neck rather than draped at full length, a stole kept for confessions is often made short and narrow, easy to put on and set aside. Some are made reversible, pairing the penitential violet of the sacrament with a white side, a practical touch that lets a single stole serve more than one need.

How is it different from other stoles?

A Eucharistic or pastoral stole is long, reaching nearly to the hem of the alb or cassock, and is worn for Mass and the other sacraments. A confessional stole is short and narrow, a common finished size being about 2 1/4 inches wide and 24 inches long. It is made to be worn briefly and often, and in our pattern a reversible violet and white construction is its most distinctive feature.

What fabric should you use?

Confessional stoles are made from light to medium weight liturgical fabrics such as silk dupioni, brocade, silk damask, metallic brocade, or a fine wool. Because the stole is reversible you will need a modest amount of both violet and white fabric, along with a firm sew-in or fusible interfacing that gives the finished stole a crisp, tailored body. You can choose from our liturgical fabrics by the yard in both colors.

How a confessional stole is made

The construction is well within reach of a confident beginner. The violet and white faces are cut, interfaced, and joined so the stole is fully reversible with a clean edge all around. Six small crosses are placed at the ends, the lower edges are finished at a neat angle, and an optional fringe may be added. The pieces are joined and the final opening closed by hand with a nearly invisible slipstitch, then the stole is pressed. A good pattern carries all of this: guideline markings for cross placement, a lengthen or shorten line for easy sizing, and clear step by step instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a confessional stole used for?

A priest wears a confessional stole around the neck when hearing confessions, as the sign of his office in the sacrament of confession, also called Penance or Reconciliation.

What color is a confessional stole?

Violet, the color of penance, is traditional for the confessional stole. Our pattern is reversible, pairing a violet side with a white side so a single stole can serve more than one purpose.

How long is a confessional stole?

It is short and narrow compared with a Eucharistic stole. A common finished size is about 2 1/4 inches wide and 24 inches long.

Is a confessional stole hard to sew?

No. Its simple, reversible construction makes it one of the most approachable vestments for a church sewer, and a good pattern guides you through the cutting, the cross placement, and the hand finished edge.

Ready to make one? Browse our pastoral and priest stole sewing patterns, and choose violet and white liturgical fabric by the yard to sew a reversible confessional stole of your own. Ecclesiastical Sewing is trusted by 22,737 makers, with over 1,000 five-star reviews.