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Carrie R

Sewing is my passion. I took up needle and thread at the tender age of eight, and fell in love with the craft in my early teens. That craft blossomed as I continued my education, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Costume Design.
In my early college days, I was introduced to the art of vestment making. Working with needle and thread, fabric and trims to make beautiful vestment and inspire and encourage others to use their skills in service for the Lord's House is now my heart's desire.

Ely crown liturgical brocade stole kit Pugin trim

Ely Crown Liturgical Brocade and Trim

Ely Crown is a fabric design that has been around for a long period, yet this pattern is classic enough in its simplicity and beauty to be loved still today. There are two design motifs of the floras and crown, surrounded by an intertwining vine pattern. The above image is a copy that dates to the late 1800s or early 1900s which is made from Ely Crown. The cope is still in excellent condition and is still in use in the cathedral, although there are some signs of wear in the silk fibers in a few spots.

St Dominic blue tassel gold crosses on York brocade

Liturgical Brocade Fabric for Pastoral Stole Kits

Ivory York Liturgical Brocade, a subtle, but lovely fabric, is featured in this photo. The cotton is used as interfacing for pastoral stoles. One could also use hair canvas such as that used in tailoring, but it is often difficult to locate and can be expensive. The canvas that is 100% Cotton in medium to heavy weight is my favorite interfacing of choice for providing needed body, weight, and stability to a pastoral stole. Satin lining is included with all stole kits and is in a matching or contrasting color.

EcclesiasticalSewing.com

Grand Opening Special: Stole Kit and Pastoral Stole Pattern

We have a wide range of fabrics available in our pastoral stole kits: there are liturgical brocade fabrics, metallic brocades, silk dupioni fabrics, and tapestry fabrics to name a few. All of the liturgical colors are available from white, cream, and red to black, blue, green, gold, Roman purple, violet, and rose. In addition to the pastoral stole kits, you will find narrow trims, orphrey braids, downloadable machine embroidery designs, tassels, and stole trim kits to aid in creating a unique and beautiful pastoral stole.

Two Toned Violet Gold Fairford on Silk Dupioni

4 1/2 Inch Wide Pastoral Stole Pattern

The 4 1/2″ pastoral or priest stole is designed to accommodate a variety of heights. It has cutting lines for a 51″, 53″, and 55″ finished length. The length can easily be changed to allow for a hem that is plain with no trim or a hem trimmed with fringe or tassels. While I find the 53″ stole works well for a wide variety of needs, with or without a fringe or tassel lower edge. It was important to offer the option of a pastoral stole pattern with different lengths to more readily accommodate those who need a longer or shorter stole. In addition, the stole pattern also has a lengthened and shortened line to allow for further customization.

advent design

The Temple

The ancient Israelites worshiped in the Tabernacle and later in the first Temple, which was the stationary building that replaced the Tabernacle. God instructed Moses exactly how to build the richly ornate Tabernacle and the Israelites used this mobile worship space for many years. In the reign of King Solomon, no expense was spared in the construction of the first Temple. This Temple was then sacked and many years later it was rebuilt as recorded in Ezra. Finally, King Herod renovated and added the second Temple, which was then destroyed in 70 A.D.

Webber all saints

All Saints Day

Each renowned saint has his or her own symbol in ecclesiastical sewing. A church that is named after a blessed saint can place that saint’s symbol on a piece of ecclesiastical vestment. All Saints Day, is the celebration of all of the Christian saints. During the mass persecutions, saints were martyred and there was no way to keep track of them all and mark each day as their own saint’s day. And so All Saints Day is the day we remember them. We decorate our churches in white, which reminds the feasting eyes of the congregation of the triumph of the saints, washed of their sins and made as white as snow by the all-availing sacrifice of Christ Our Saviour.

Luther Rose in Quatrefoil Frame Machine Embroidery

The Protestant Reformation And Its Importance To Ecclesiastical Sewing

It began when Martin Luther posted his theses, sparking changes in church history. Although denominations split, they kept some traditions, like special church clothes. Ecclesiastical Sewing preserves these traditions by making church clothes for different churches. Studying church history helps us see what’s the same and what’s different. Ecclesiastical sewing is a way of making beautiful things for God.

Alpha Omega Machine Embroidery Design

Chi Rho Liturgical Machine Embroidery Design

The Chi Rho symbol is the large “P” combined with the “X” to create a monogram that depicts the first two letters of the Greek word KHRistos. The Chi Rho is a chrismon, or christogram.  This lovely monogram can take many shapes and forms. The “P” in this version is embroidered using a very deep red color, outlined with a dark gray to set it off against the black background. The “X” is embroidered using a slightly lighter red color, outlined with the same deep gray thread.

Ecclesiastical Sewing: Our Story

Meet the Ecclesiastical Sewing family! Founded by Carrie Roberts in 2014, the family brings rich ecclesiastical vestments to churches of all sizes. Carrie’s fashion design background and international market experience lay the foundation. With artistic son Christopher’s designs, they offer embroidery patterns, Ashley, a historian, explores church vestment history, while Travis manages operations. The technical side is handled by Nicholas, bringing designs to life digitally.

Ely Crown Red Stole

October 11th–Philip the Deacon

In the early days of the church, seven deacons were chosen to serve as helpers. Philip was one of these men. After the deacon Steven was killed and persecution of the Christians began in Jerusalem, Philip left Jerusalem for Samaria. There he spread the good news of the Gospel. Philip is also the man who preached to the Ethiopian eunuch and then baptized him.

Luther Rose Embroidery on Black Evesham

Wardrobes for Clergy: Liturgical Vestments and Pastoral Stoles

The liturgical vestment known as the stole–the type we see today–came into form around the twelfth century; it has retained the basic shape familiar to us with minor variations over time. The variations include width, spade ends, and neckline variations. The styles of stole decorations have changed dramatically through the centuries.

September 30th: St. Jerome

Saint Jerome, a revered church father born around 342 A.D. in northern Italy. Raised in a Christian family, he renounced worldly pursuits, journeyed to Rome, and was baptized by Pope Liberius. Jerome immersed himself in studying Biblical languages and Scriptures. After traveling, he settled in Bethlehem, devoting his life to Biblical scholarship and translation. Saint Jerome passed away on September 30, 420 A.D.