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Opus Anglicanum

Opus Anglicanum Resources

The book is titled “English Medieval Embroidery Opus Anglicanum,” and has been published in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum. The book is the result of the research that was undertaken in preparation for the Opus Anglicanum Exhibit. The first major exhibit on the topic of Medieval Embroidery in almost fifty years. The book created for the exhibit expected to become the standard work of reference. It includes detailed illustrations of works in the exhibit as well as comparable pieces from other collections to aid discussions.

Pastoral Stoles kits and ready made

Pastoral Stoles for Advent, Lent, and Good Friday

A collection of stoles is being prepared for purchase, with finishing touches such as tassels and neckline chains. Hand-made stoles will also be available for purchase, created using traditional techniques and high-quality standards. All stoles will be made in the USA by partnering with ecclesiastical tailors and seamstresses.

St. Ambrose

St. Ambrose Church Father and his Symbol

Born as Aurelius Ambrosius in 334 A.D., the man we know as St. Ambrose grew up in Gaul where his father held a high post as prefecture. It is said that a swarm of bees visited the infant Ambrose, landing upon his eyes and lips. This tradition claims to be the source of Ambrose’s ability later in life to speak in honeyed, caring words. So, the beehive has become the symbol most frequently associated with St. Ambrose because it is a symbol of eloquence. The symbol for St. Ambrose relate to the ex-communication of Emperor Theodosius for his massacre of the people of Thessalonica.

Hand Embroidered Linen Altar Set

Small Altar Linens and a Gift for You

Linens are an item used every day or every week in the life of most churches.  Linens are used for the most sacred and important part of a church service during the service of Holy Communion or the Eucharist. The small church linens or altar linens used in the Divine Service are the Fairlinen which is placed directly on the altar, the corporal, the lavabo towel, and the purificator. Some churches use a small side table that is covered by a Credence cloth.

Altar Linen Book Cover

Email sign up form and small church linen booklet

Carrie has written an instruction booklet for making and embroidering small Church Linens and altar linens. This booklet describes the making and care for the small altar linens used during the service of Holy Communion or the Eucharist. Also included in the booklet is a collection of original and vintage hand embroidery designs. This booklet is our gift to you for subscribing to the Ecclesiastical Sewing email list!

VDMA Cross 3-5

Liturgical Digital Machine Embroidery Designs

Our collection of digital machine embroidery designs, offers most liturgical machine embroidery designs in a wide range of digital files.  File formats are DST, EMB, EXP, HUS, JEF, PCS, PES, and XXX. Some formats may not be available for certain designs based on size. Some designs, such as the VDMA Cross Symbol are original designs that we’ve created.

Silk Dupioni with Evesham closeup

Silk Dupioni Liturgical Stole Kit with Evesham Orphrey

Our new 4 1/2″ pastoral stole has a guideline for cutting stole orphreys for use at the lower edge, as well as for use on the upper chest. The orphrey size and guideline placement have been developed based on the design rule of thirds and by years of practice. Now, these placement and cutting sizes are “guidelines” and are not meant to take the place of checking to verify that the placement works for each and every situation. They are intended to help create a sense of balance and proportion when making a pastoral stole, by providing a starting point for the placement of orphrey bands or appliques.

St. Margaret Blue Gold liturgical fabric

Violet, Blue and Rose Liturgical Brocade Church Vestments Fabrics

Advent, the first season in a new church year,  and Lent are penitential seasons – a time of reflection and a time to focus on the fulfillment of a promise. Color is used within the church to remind us that Advent and Lent are Penitential Seasons. Violet or Purple are the colors used during these seasons of the church year. Under the heading of purple or violet, come a few other colors. Rose is the color used in the third week of Advent and the fourth week of Lent to remind us of the slight change in the reading that has a lighter meaning.

Ely crown liturgical brocade stole kit Pugin trim

Ely Crown Liturgical Brocade and Trim

Ely Crown is a fabric design that has been around for a long period, yet this pattern is classic enough in its simplicity and beauty to be loved still today. There are two design motifs of the floras and crown, surrounded by an intertwining vine pattern. The above image is a copy that dates to the late 1800s or early 1900s which is made from Ely Crown. The cope is still in excellent condition and is still in use in the cathedral, although there are some signs of wear in the silk fibers in a few spots.

St Dominic blue tassel gold crosses on York brocade

Liturgical Brocade Fabric for Pastoral Stole Kits

Ivory York Liturgical Brocade, a subtle, but lovely fabric, is featured in this photo. The cotton is used as interfacing for pastoral stoles. One could also use hair canvas such as that used in tailoring, but it is often difficult to locate and can be expensive. The canvas that is 100% Cotton in medium to heavy weight is my favorite interfacing of choice for providing needed body, weight, and stability to a pastoral stole. Satin lining is included with all stole kits and is in a matching or contrasting color.

EcclesiasticalSewing.com

Grand Opening Special: Stole Kit and Pastoral Stole Pattern

We have a wide range of fabrics available in our pastoral stole kits: there are liturgical brocade fabrics, metallic brocades, silk dupioni fabrics, and tapestry fabrics to name a few. All of the liturgical colors are available from white, cream, and red to black, blue, green, gold, Roman purple, violet, and rose. In addition to the pastoral stole kits, you will find narrow trims, orphrey braids, downloadable machine embroidery designs, tassels, and stole trim kits to aid in creating a unique and beautiful pastoral stole.