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Category: Altar Hangings and Paraments

Altar hangings and paraments are essential components of any church’s liturgy. These fabrics add value and beauty to the church, emphasizing the significance of different religious seasons.

These pieces are used to adorn the altar, lectern, pulpit, and other areas of the church. These also serve as a visual reminder of the church’s teachings and beliefs. Not just decorative designs; these also play an important role in the church’s liturgy. These liturgical pieces change with the liturgical season, reflecting the church’s colors and symbolism

At Ecclesiastical sewing, we understand the importance of altar hangings and paraments. Our collection includes designs for Advent, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and other religious seasons. We use quality fabrics that are durable ensuring that they withstand regular use with proper care.

Our altar hangings and paraments are available in different styles and colors, ranging from simple to ornate designs. We also offer customization options, allowing churches to design their own pieces and, according to their specific qualifications.

Altar hangings and paraments are essential fabrics for any church’s liturgy. They add beauty and elegance to the church while emphasizing the significance of different religious seasons. Therefore Ecclesiastical Sewing offers a wide range of collections of liturgical items, each with unique designs, colors, and textures to suit every church’s preferences

St. Hubert Fabric

Orphrey Bands for Altar Frontal

The Orphrey bands for the altar frontal will be cut from St. Hubert Gold/Gold. St. Hubert is a brocatelle Ecclesiastical Fabric originally designed by Sir Ninian Comper and produced by M. Perkins and Sons circa 1890. The fabric will be available on our new website shortly after the first of the year in several colorways, including Red/Gold, White/Gold, Blue/Gold, Black/Gold, and Gold/Gold as in the above photo.  St. Hubert is one of my favorite go-to ecclesiastical fabrics.  It cuts up well for use in orphrey bands. The above orphrey bands are approximately 7″ wide before adding any trims

Painted Church Banner from St. Ignatius Mission Montana

St. Ignatius Mission Banners

Embroidery is a perfect medium for use on banners, a true labor of love, provided there are skilled embroiderers available for the work required. But sadly, there were times when this level of devotion may not have been possible for a banner. When embroidery was not an option, banners were sometimes hand-painted like these Banners located at the Ursuline Center.

Green Superfrontal from Collection at Concordia Historical Institute

Altar Frontals

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The Ecclesiastical Fabric has been used as the base fabric for the entire Superfrontal. The Superfrontal is designed so that it extends to the back edge of the altar with no overhang down the back side. This same style of superfrontal could be created using a cotton duck or dowlas fabric for the decking and using the Ecclesiastical Brocade on the front and end pieces.

Rose Vestments for Laetare and Gaudete Sunday

Laetare Sunday or Rose Vestments

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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.

Black Vestments used for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday at Prince of Peace

Planning – First Steps for Altar Frontal

For this altar frontal, the plan is to use two 7″ orphrey bands on either side of the center front. There will be a solid space of white that will be about 9″ wide left between the orphrey bands. This band or space that was left would be adorned with a host of hand-embroidery designs.  The project will have to be content with plain bands of white between the rows of orphreys.

Framing and Tracing Altar Frontal Star

Advent Star Altar Frontal

In preparation for the New Church Year, Ecclesiastical Sewing create a temporary Advent Star Altar Frontal set with a central motif surrounded by smaller stars. Using a piece-and-fuse technique, the lightweight linen is framed with Blue Silk Dupioni. The design, outlined with Silver Metallic Threads, includes an Altar Frontal, superfrontal, Pulpit Fall, and chalice veil.

Church Hand Embroidery Pattern for Advent, Advent Altar Hanging and Pulpit Fall Ideas

Advent Altar Hanging and Pulpit Fall Ideas

Ecclesiastical Sewing takes a break from finishing the Monk’s Habit to brainstorm Advent Altar Hanging and Pulpit Fall Ideas. Current hangings are deemed unsatisfactory, prompting a plan for an interim Advent Set using machine embroidery on Silk Dupioni fabric. The proposed design includes stars, Alpha and Omega, and Chi-Rho symbols. Time constraints pose a challenge, but the aim is to complete the project using a beautiful blue Silk Dupioni fabric and possibly incorporating Silver Elizabethan Twist thread for added shimmer.

Summer Travels and Unexpected Surprises!

Summer travels brought unexpected surprises for the Ecclesiastical Sewing family in Montana. A visit to the Ursuline Center revealed a hidden treasure—a Sister’s art studio in the tower, showcasing two hand-painted Ecclesiastical Banners. One banner displayed signs of age with faded beauty, intricate details, and gold bullion fringe. The banners’ origin and age are unknown, making them even more intriguing.