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Category: Ecclesiastical Sewing

Ecclesiastical Sewing, a family-owned business, specializes in creating beautifully crafted liturgical vestments, altar hangings, and paraments for churches and religious organizations. Our team at Ecclesiastical Sewing has a passion for preserving the traditions of liturgical sewing.  We carefully craft each piece by hand with precision and care, ensuring attention to every detail. One of our missions is to add church settings beauty and solemnity in every ceremony.  Making every piece a cherished part of a shared journey in serving the faith.

In addition to sewing skills, Ecclesiastical Sewing also provides helpful tips and techniques for those interested in liturgical sewing.  Our blogs are a valuable resource for anyone looking to hone their sewing skills.  And also to learn more about the art of creating beautiful vestments and paraments. Ecclesiastical Sewing has extensive knowledge and experience, dedicated to helping others on their own journeys in liturgical sewing, creating meaningful pieces that will be cherished for generations to come.

Happy New Year From Ecclesiastical Sewing

  Happy New Year From Ecclesiastical Sewing With Praise and Thanksgiving to everyone who follows along here at Ecclesiastical Sewing, and to a few special people who have been a… Read more Happy New Year From Ecclesiastical Sewing →

Zerwas Wedding

Ecclesiastical Sewing Introduces Ashley

Ecclesiastical Sewing would like to officially welcome Ashley Zerwas to our team. Ashley is Carrie’s only daughter and she has taken a full-time job working for the family business after recently graduating college. When the Ecclesiastical Sewing storefront opens, Ashley will be helping to run the business behind the scenes. Ashley will manage social media, as well as assist with product development and sourcing. Ashley will also take on the role of Editor in Chief for Ecclesiastical Sewing.

Church Linen Books

Ecclesiastical Sewing: Reading for a Summer Road Trip

Ecclesiastical Sewing: Reading for a Summer Road Trip – It is that time of year for the long-awaited and greatly anticipated family road trip. The destination:  Glacier National Park, with a few side trips along the way.  With a ten-day trip and miles of roads between Minnesota and Montana,

Wakefield Violet Gold Liturgical Fabric

A New Look at Ecclesiastical Sewing

Exciting news! Ecclesiastical Sewing is now open for online shopping! Discover our collection of ecclesiastical embroidery and sewing supplies. Happy shopping!

Wedding Weekends

Happy New Year from Ecclesiastical Sewing! After a busy month of home remodeling and wedding preparations, the workroom turned into a wedding hub. From groomsmen alterations to bridesmaid dresses and vintage veil restyling, it was a flurry of activity. The remodeled space is now organized and lovely!

Season Changes

  Season Changes The seasons are changing, and there is no doubt about it. The days are still sunny and warm while the evenings have a bit of a chill. There has even been a hint of frost in the air and on the ground this week in Northern Minnesota.  Seasonal changes are not the only new events occurring in and around the Ecclesiastical Sewing workroom.  Soon there will be a brand new format for Ecclesiastical Sewing along with a new website storefront. The changes are slow, and it takes… Read more Season Changes →

Meet Martin the Steadfast

Meet Martin the Steadfast

There is a new man in the Ecclesiastical Sewing workroom of late. He is on duty, 24/7, never leaving his post. He never complains, or tires of his duty.  He responds to my beck and call.  He stands to guard over my vintage liturgical sewing library, keeping harm and danger at bay. He has been hanging around for several months now, not doing much of anything…..sometimes he is in the way and gets shoved or pushed, but he takes it in stride.  He is tall and well-built. But sometimes, he gets a bit down. Let’s meet Martin the Steadfas

Silk dupioni Fabric in an array of colors

Ecclesiastical Sewing – Exciting Changes

New Ecclesiastical Sewing Patterns in the making -New Liturgical Embroidery Designs.

Back to Ecclesiastical Projects – Soon

  Back to Ecclesiastical Projects – Soon For all of you patiently waiting for a new post, never fear. The Ecclesiastical Sewing blog has not dropped off the face of the planet….or at least not quite. I have been enjoying a few weeks off with family, and visiting some remote places that are nearly off the map. Fortunately,  I have found my way out of the backcountry of Glacier Park and will be back to work posting new Ecclesiastical Sewing Projects next week. Until then, happy summer. Soli Deo Gloria… Read more Back to Ecclesiastical Projects – Soon →

Green Altar Frontal and Superfrontal when it was first used

The Ravages of Time on Ecclesiastical Vestments

With a growing collection of beautiful altar hangings, and hopefully, a growing collection of matching vestments, the issue of storage must be addressed to properly care of Ecclesiastical Vestments.

Rose Vestments for Laetare and Gaudete Sunday

Laetare Sunday or Rose Vestments

Using Rose Vestments during Advent and Lent varies among differing church bodies.  The New Liturgical Movement has some information on the historical use of Rose Vestments within the Catholic Church.  The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s view on Rose Vestments is slightly different. If a Rose Vestment Set is desired or planned for your church, be sure to check with your pastor or bishop concerning appropriate use and guidelines for liturgical colors.

Butler Bowden Cope  -  Grace Christie Embroidery: A Collection of Articles on Subjects Connected with Fine Embroidery

Happy New Year

Post from Gracie Christie’s book Embroidery: A Collection of Articles on Subjects Connected with Fine Embroidery which had the design for the lion’s head worked in pearl and beadwork.  While updating links in that article, some other resources surfaced, which might provide enjoyable reading and viewing as the New Year gets underway.  The first stop is a short journey back in time to a previous Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Ecclesiastical Vestments of the Middle Ages: An Exhibition. 

Christmas in the Sewing Room

Holidays and Getting Back to Work

Before the Holidays, things usually were put away and kept neat and tidy in the sewing room. But somehow things changed over the past two weeks. In the bustle of the moment, things need to go somewhere to a room not in regular use in a rather small house – the sewing room.

Goud, zilver and zijde by Marike Van Roon, , Holiday Break

Holiday Break

Book written by Marike van Roon, Head Curator at Amsterdam University as her dissertation was added to my library last summer and has become a favorite.  Beginning at around the 1800s, the book lays out the history of European Ecclesiastical History through the 1960s.  There is a nice mix of primary source material in the form of sketches and illustrations from texts and authors of the period, while stunning black and white, and color photography of actual vestments pieces

Museum Ursuline Center, Summer Travels

More Surprises on Summer Travels

Visiting the museum, display revealed a whitework embroidery fragments, including one with the words “Happy Feast!” and the date “1895.” The remnants were cut from a larger hand-embroidered linen tablecloth used by the Sisters, showcasing beautiful craftsmanship. Intrigued by the search for Ecclesiastical Embroidery, we were directed to Father, to know the promising revelations in the chapel.