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Embroidery Design by Ecclesiastical Sewing

The Christmas Rose Legend and Symbolism

Christmas rose, also known as the Glastonbury Rose. This is a little white flower that grows in northern Europe during the winter. Legend has it that the Christmas rose is of miraculous origin. As the Christmas rose represents purity, it has often been carved into confessionals as a five-petal flower: the penitent walks in a guilty sinner, and out with their purity restored. It also appears in plenty of medieval heraldry, among other uses.

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.

Christmas and Advent O Antiphons Ecclesiastical Sewing

The O Antiphons and O Come, O Come Emmanuel

The word “antiphon” is probably not in the vocabulary for those of us who aren’t all that familiar with liturgical chants but traditionally they were short chants of the Psalms often sung with a refrain. The meaning of antiphon actually has its roots in Greek origin as it literally means “before the sound.” The most famous song or hymn to come forth from the O Antiphons is the Christmas hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

Katie Luther Edward Riojas Artist

December 20th: Katie Luther

Katharina is believed to have been born in 1499, the daughter of a poor German nobleman and his wife. Like so many men, her father was left to raise his daughter when her mother died young. To better care for her, Mr. Von Bora took his daughter Katharina to a convent in 1504, where she would be educated.

Radix Jesse Rose Design

O Radix Jesse

From the very beginning, Christians have celebrated Advent with some antiphons like O Radix Jesse that encapsulate the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the Incarnation. “O Radix Jesse,” translated in English as “O Root of Jesse,” celebrates the royal descent of Jesus through His mother Mary.

Rose Chalice Veil

Gaudete Sunday and Rose Vestments

Rose vestments are used for two Sundays in the church year. Rose vestments are worn during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Gaudete Sunday is celebrated during the Season of Advent. Laetare Sunday is celebrated during Lent.

Advent Stole and Altar hangings

Blue or Purple: An Advent Debate

The choice between blue and purple Advent vestments reflects diverse traditions. Blue, popular in Scandinavia and the British Isles (“Sarum blue”), symbolizes the night sky before dawn, echoing themes of hope and new beginnings tied to the Christmas narrative. While, purple vestments, symbolizing penitence, have distinct connotations. Historically derived from Mediterranean snails, purple’s expense symbolizes royalty.

St. Andrew's Cross Design for Hand Embroidery

The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer

The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer. This is a beautiful prayer about the birth of Christ that can serve as a meditation for Advent. The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer is customarily prayed up to fifteen times daily from November 30th until Christmas Day.

John the Baptist, Agnus Dei, Ecce Agnus Dei, Christian Symbols, Christian Art, Church Symbols, Ecclesiastical Sewing, Nativity of John the Baptist, Religious Paintings,

The Nativity of John the Baptist June 24th

June 24th marks the celebration of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Christ said, “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28 ESV

How to Sew; Vestment trim, Rsoe chasuble; Silk damask; Liturgical Fabric; Church vestment making; Vestment Trim;

Top 5 Tips for Sewing Perfect Chasuble Orphrey Bands

Creating perfect chasuble orphrey bands is easier with these 5 tips. Choose precise marking tools, finish edges to prevent unraveling, mark lines accurately, and pin perpendicular. Use the edge foot for even stitching, spot-check for consistency, and adjust as needed. These simple steps ensure polished and professionally sewn chasuble orphrey bands.

Ordination photo; Pastor ordination stole, Red stole, Reformation stole, Lutheran Stole, Ecclesiastical Sewing

Custom Crafted Ordination Stoles

Ordination and being installed as the pastor at a church is a special time for clergy. There are often special services that are planned in honor of the event. The ordination and installation service is a time when a new pastor gets to wear their first stole. The vestment color for ordination and installation is red and so tradition often dictates the gifting of a red stole

Goldwork Dove applique for hand embroidery, Goldwork embroidery, Pentecost Dove, Ecclesiastical Sewing

Quick Sewing Tip: Add Goldwork Dove Appliques to Red Stoles for Pentecost

To create a vibrant Pentecost stole, start with a red stole, such as the Ely Crown Stole, featuring plain fabric near the chest area. Choose a gold Dove Applique, like the goldwork Dove with imitation Japanese Goldwork threads, which may include colored thread accents. For couching, use Goldwork threads like Imitation Japanese Gold Thread, Gilt gold twist, or Au Ver a Soie Gold Thread.

St. Philip Apostle; St. Philip Feast Day, Ecclesiastical Sewing

St. Philip and St. James and New Apostle Pastor Stole

Lutherans and Roman Catholics celebrated the feast days of St. Philip and St. James the Apostles on May 1st and 3rd. Both church bodies agree on the importance of these Apostles. Philip was called by Jesus in Bethsaida and brought Nathanael to Christ, while St. James is traditionally believed to have been martyred. Ecclesiastical Sewing has introduced “The Apostle Collection” of church vestments, emphasizing these important figures in Christian history.

CHurch Vestment pattern, Clergy Stole Pattern, Priest Stole pattern, making church Vestments, Ecclesiastical Sewing

Top Five Traditional Clergy Stole Patterns for Church Vestment

Ecclesiastical Sewing has developed a range of clergy stole patterns to cater to various preferences and historical inspirations. The top five traditional stole patterns include: 4.5 Inch Stole Pattern. A versatile workhorse pattern with a width that accommodates embroidery designs. V-Neck Stole Pattern: Slightly wider at almost 5 inches and featuring a V-shaped point at the back neckline. 3.5 Inch Stole Pattern: Reflecting the historical description by George Tack. Deacon Stole Pattern: It features mitered seams at the shoulder and hip. Lastly, Tapered Stole Pattern: Reflecting changes in history, this stole style is characterized by a narrow fitted neckline that gradually widens at the hemline.

Church Vestment sewing patterns, Traditional Vestment patterns, Priest vestment patterns, Latin Mass Vestment Patterns

Traditional Church Vestment Sewing Patterns

Ecclesiastical Sewing provides traditional church vestment patterns for creating garments for clergies. The choice of vestments depends on the worship service style. For more traditional services, Gothic Style Chasuble with a fuller design is recommended. Monastic Style Chasuble with heavy folds is another option offered by Ecclesiastical Sewing. The Roman chasuble pattern is available in one-size-fits-all, while graded sizes from small to large are available for Gothic and Monastic styles.