Skip to content
Vestments made by a reader for his church

A Reader’s Labor of Love: Making Liturgical Vestments

David, a dedicated reader, has been creating beautiful liturgical vestments for his priest and parish. He recently shared photos of his work, showcasing an All Souls Day chasuble and stole. The orphrey features silver lamé with two different ribbons topstitched on. David’s creativity is evident in his material choices, and he even incorporated a Dogwood Flower design in the lace of the surplice, paying tribute to North Carolina’s official state flower.

Luther Rose Stole Embroidery

Luther Rose Liturgical Brocade Church Vestment Fabric

The Luther Rose Liturgical Brocade Fabric, borne from collaboration and inspiration, symbolizes the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Designed with Patonce Cross and Luther Rose Emblem motifs, the fabric captures a distinctly Lutheran essence. The design with the guidance of skilled partners, including Edward Riojas, who added a vine motif. The result is a richly symbolic fabric, a testament to the dedication and support of those involved in its creation.

Hand Embroidery Linen Altar Set

Inspiration for a Lazy Sunday Afternoon: Small Altar Linens

Each small altar linen is meticulously handcrafted for attention to detail. We start by pre-shrinking and pressing the linen carefully. Cutting is done along the thread for a straight edge. Hemming follows with precise folding and stitching, using delicate thread for quality. This ensures high-quality altar linens.

Chalice veil for Good Friday and Lent

Making a Chalice Veil Part II: Good Friday Chalice Veil

The Saint Augustine Chalice Veil is made from Silk Dupioni, which is a great option for black vestments used on Good Friday. Silk Dupioni is a good fabric choice for church vestment making because it looks rich, has a natural sheen, and a depth of color. Combining a solid fabric with a patterned orphrey allows the vestment to be visible from more than the first few rows of church pews.

Fairford Violet Liturgical Brocade

Lent and Advent Pastor or Priest Stoles and Rose Stole for Laetare Sunday

Ecclesiastical Sewing introduces new designs in the Pastor or Priest Stole Collection for Lent and Advent. The Pope Gregory Violet Silk Dupioni Priest Stole, designed with gold trim and cross detail, is a featured stole. Available in various versions, with orphrey bands and tassels. Additionally, the Rose Stole, designed for Laetare and Gaudete Sundays, adds a special to the Penitential Seasons. The St. Ambrose Pastor or Priest Stole in rich violet hues. These stoles offer bespoke quality at an affordable price.

Luther Cross-3-5-inches

Religious Lutheran Machine Embroidery Designs for Church Vestments

Ecclesiastical Sewing has created new designs for church vestments and paraments including patterns for things like altar hangings and special embroidery for pastors’ stoles. One of the design, called Luther Rose Gold Spray, has a vintage look with a special emblem. Another design, Luther Rose Quatrefoil, comes in different sizes for things like stoles and chasubles. There’s also a design for letters, like the ones used in liturgical embroidery, called Reformation VDMA. Another favorite is the Patonce Cross, available in various sizes.

Sewing a Chalice Veil: Construction Details

To test a pattern for a Chalice Veil at Ecclesiastical Sewing, red silk dupioni was used for the face fabric, satin for the lining, and Evesham brocade for the orphrey band, trimmed with Saint Benet trim. The process involved measuring, cutting, and adding the orphrey band and trim. Basting the trim before sewing helped ensure it stayed straight. After completing the orphrey band, it was stitched to the silk, a cross was applied with an iron, and the lining was hand-stitched. The final result is a beautiful Chalice Veil in the Saint Gregory Collection of Vestments.

Ambrose in violet lent stole fairford brocade large

Exciting News! Pastoral Stoles

Ecclesiastical Sewing Pastoral Stole Collection. The styles include St. Gregory Silk Dupioni, St. Ambrose, St. Michael, St. Jerome, and St. Augustine. Each stole featuring unique orphrey bands, a gold cross at the neckline, and tassels along the bottom edges. Additionally, there is an Alpha-Omega stole in ivory. These pastoral stoles are now ready for purchase on our website, and we’re working on creating seasonally colored stoles for each style.

Winchester Roman Purple Brocade

Liturgical Brocades: Fabrics for Making Church Vestments

Liturgical vestments, like stoles and chasubles, need fabric with both drape and firmness to hold their shapes. Fabrics must be carefully chosen for the right weight and body. M. Perkins and Sons, with over a century of experience, create Ecclesiastical Fabrics designed specifically for making church vestments. They prioritize yarn selection, ensuring the correct spin, loft, and thickness to achieve durability and proper form.