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Category: Hand Embroidery

Hand embroidery is a beautiful and intricate art form that has been around for centuries. It involves using a needle and thread to create detailed designs on fabric. Countless stitches can be used to achieve different textures and effects, making each piece of embroidery unique.

If you are interested in hand embroidery for religious purposes, Ecclesiastical Sewing is an excellent choice. They offer a wide range of materials, designs, and resources to help you create stunning religious embroidery. Whether you are looking to create an altar frontal, a chasuble, or other liturgical vestments, Ecclesiastical Sewing has everything you need.

One of the great things about hand embroidery is that it is a very portable craft. You can take your embroidery with you and work on it almost anywhere. It’s a great way to pass the time while traveling or waiting for appointments.

Another benefit of hand embroidery is that it is a very relaxing and meditative activity. Many people find that stitching helps them unwind and de-stress after a busy day. Plus, creating something beautiful with your hands is always satisfying.

Truly, hand embroidery is a wonderful craft that offers a range of benefits. Whether you are looking to create something beautiful for your home or your church, Ecclesiastical Sewing has everything you need to get started. So why not give it a try and see what you can create?

Tool kit

Sacred Heart Project Launch!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our linen kit for the upcoming Sacred Heart project in collaboration with ClaraStitching. Download your free printable patterns from the provided Dropbox link and note that only fifty linen kits are available, so act fast! Clara Stitching will be hosting a free hand embroidery class on June 15th; sign up for updates via her forum link.

Heart design

Sacred Heart Month Collab with Clara

Join our Sacred Heart Month collaboration with Clara Stitching! Get a free Chalice Pal Pattern, grab discounted sewing kits (limited to 50), and don’t miss Clara’s free embroidery class on June 15th. Follow Clara on social media for updates!

The Crewel Work Company Georgian Bouquet

Slate Frames for Special Embroidery Projects

The slate frames are hand-crafted by our master finish carpenter in Montana. The frames are currently made using Hickory Wood. The wood has a lovely color and sands to a smooth satin finish. The slate frame helps keep your linen fresh and tidy as you work through your project.

Christmas Rose Vestment Design

The Christmas Rose Legend & Symbolism

The use of a rose has been common sense since the 13th Century and is frequently used in Gothic wood carving as well as in hand embroidery. The Messianic rose can take on many forms. The design is part of a collection of vintage embroidery designs that date back to the late 1870s.

altar cloth

Identifying an Embroidery Design

Ecclesiastical Sewing has a request to identify an embroidery design on a UK church’s altar frontal. The only clue is a label mentioning Thomas Brown and Son of Manchester, known for church embroidery in the early 20th century.

Alpha Omega Goldwork applique green silk brocade gold metallic embroidery how to sew for beginners tips and tricks design pattern

Through the Needle’s Eye – EGA Traveling Exhibit

Discover the beauty of needlework at the EGA Traveling Exhibit, “Through the Needle’s Eye.” Running from January 17 to March 30, 2019, at Stevens History Museum in Morris, MN, the exhibit celebrates both traditional and contemporary embroidery. It’s a great opportunity to be inspired by the artistry of needlecraft, whether you’re an experienced embroiderer or just curious.

Hand Embroidery Design for Altar Linens

Hand Embroidery Design for Altar Linens

A scrollwork cross. The cross is a creation taken from part of the vintage embroidery designs. This cross is similar to many vintage hand embroidery designs. Satin stitch would be nice around the center diamond shape and the four dots just outside of that. The Scrollwork could be an outline or stem stitch or trailing stitch. The tiny tendrils could be back-stitched or a small stem stitch. The three clover shapes at the cross ends could be stem stitched and filled with seed stitch or satin stitched. The very center of the large diamond could also be filled with seed stitches. It would take only about 3 or 4 stitches to work this little design up.

Easter Religious machine embroidery design

King of Kings – Crown of Glory Liturgical Machine Embroidery Motif

The countless hours of restoration for the Crown of Glory design took place during the season of Lent. And in the end, The King of King’s design shines forth with joy at the dawning of Christmas and Easter morn.

Fleur Cross Liturgical Embroidery Design

Liturgical Embroidery Designs Phase 2

Fleur Cross Liturgical Embroidery Design

Fleur de lis Ecclesiastical Embroidery Design

Liturgical Embroidery Design

Creating new hand embroidery designs for Church Vestments and church linens.
– The Fleur de lis which symbolizes purity and often represents the Trinity. The Virgin Mary and the angel Gabrielle are also represented by the Fleur de lis.  This particular design is also reminiscent of the pomegranate.

Regalia of a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece Habsburg Splendor at Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Habsburg Splendor at Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Featuring the Habsburg Splendor Exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, a showcase of exquisite goldwork embroidery. Don’t miss some pieces, including suits of armor, tapestries, curiosities, and renowned paintings by artists like Caravaggio and Hans Holbein. Visit the intricate details on the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s webpage for a closer look at this splendid collection.

IHS Lenten Design for Hand Embroidery

IHS Lenten Hand Embroidery Design

The IHS Lenten Design, taken from a detailed border pattern, offers versatility. The stylized floral elements converted into letters make an interesting stand-alone element. It can be stitched with subdued threads for Lent or with goldwork threads and silk floss for a shimmering effect, symbolizing the glory of the Resurrection. With two available sizes, this design is suitable for stoles, linens, pulpit falls, or even an altar frontal.

Easter Sunrise Ecclesiastical Embroidery Design

Easter Sunrise Hand Embroidery Design

This treasure comes from a rare copy of a German book that arrived over the Christmas Holidays.  The original design is very small.  When it is enlarged on a copier, the design loses definition and the pixels become an issue. This seemed appropriate as a first challenge with the graphics program. Lots of straight lines, a circle, and a few wavy lines for rocks.

John D. Sedding, Architect Nativity Ecclesiastical Embroidery Design from 1874

Nativity by John D. Sedding

Nativity Ecclesiastical Embroidery Design created in 1874 by the architect of the Gothic Revival period John D. Sedding. 

Red Passing Thread Stitched with Red Cord

Seeing Red and Starting Over

The Red Cord was used to couch the Red Passing thread. It worked great from the start, for about 3 stitches. Then, as the metallic cord was pulled through the fabric, the cord separated, showing the white core.