The Monastery’s Ecclesiastical Embroidery Designs are truly amazing. What stands out is that many of these beautiful designs originated from understanding of geometry, design, scale and proportion. The Sisters, who created these designs, studied theology, understood the history and meaning behind symbols, and skillfully combined all this knowledge to create stunning Ecclesiastical Designs.
Passionate about Ecclesiastical Embroidery, I’ve collected rare books and found a rare to find book by Mary Barber entitled Some Drawings of Ancient Embroidery and received three sample designs from a closing monastery’s Art Needlework Department. The designs, featuring a Rose and Thorn, IHC, and Sword and Keys, offer a glimpse into the artistry of Ecclesiastical Embroidery.
This Advent Vestment set is designed for a shorter lifespan, around 5 to 15 years. The construction process allows for quicker techniques, like using fusible web for the appliqué. Appliqué parts, cut from Silk Dupioni and a cotton/linen blend for the flesh tones, are ironed in place for easy and accurate positioning. The traced design on the blue silk aids in precise placement. While traditional methods may have used homemade paste, the use of fusible web aligns with the project’s practical goals.
Late at night bits of an Advent Vestment Set come together. Sorting threads, choosing fabrics like Silk Dupioni, broadcloth, and cotton canvas, each piece plays a part. The altar frontal takes shape with careful attention, creating a beautiful and functional piece in Ecclesiastical Sewing.
Changed plans for Advent Set due to lost time and supply delays.
A quick review from “Church Needlework” by Hinda Hands for ideas and now focusing on appliqué and outline work, balancing harsh designs with scroll accents. Using modern fusible web instead of paste for appliqué. Applying Alpha and Omega symbols directly to blue Silk Dupioni, so cutting fabric and adapting plans. Ecclesiastical Sewing project takes unexpected turns!
In the process of preparing for the Advent set, Evertite Stretcher Bars were selected for framing linen. Two sizes, 16″ and 23″, were chosen for the frame, ensuring its squareness before the lightweight linen was prepared. The linen, cut by thread and folded with creases for reference points, was then stretched over the frame, with alternating pinning and tacking along the width and length. Tension was adjusted for a tight finish. Despite challenges with tacks from a local store, the framed-up linen is now ready for design transfer.
In preparation for the Advent Ecclesiastical Sewing project, the focus is on framing steps using the Evertite Tension Adjusting Stretcher Bars. These bars offer an adjustable feature with tiny screws, ensuring the embroidery project stays taunt. The bars, available in various sizes, are easily assembled with a straightforward tightening process using an Allen Wrench. The cost-effective Evertite frames are practical, functional, and adaptable, providing a range of adjustments to keep the work in good shape. Needle in a Haystack and Stitchville USA are recommended places to find Evertite frames.
For those interested in church needlework, a few places offer courses worth exploring. Hexaemeron provides Traditional Icon embroidery classes, conducted by Olga Fishchuk, focusing on Byzantine and Russian embroidery techniques from the 14th to the 17th centuries. The classes, held at various US locations, offer rich instruction and historical context. On a different note, the Williamsburg School of Needlework in Colonial Williamsburg offers courses on whitework, suitable for church linens. The courses range from basic sessions to specialized topics like sacred monograms. Check out their detailed hand embroidery course descriptions for more information.
In anticipation of the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, the planning for a special Ecclesiastical Vestment Set is underway. The set, designed for Reformation Sunday, will include altar hangings, stoles, chasuble, maniple, chalice veil, burse, and potentially banners, featuring a Luther Rose design. The chosen color will be a darker, martyr red, and updates will be provided as fabric selections and embroidery designs are finalized.
Looking for Ecclesiastical symbols? Check “Christian Symbols” for a book on Christian symbols and free PDF downloads. “Project Canterbury” has “Embroidery for Church Guilds” with simple designs. “Corpus Christi Watershed” archives complex Catholic Line Art. These resources inspire meaningful Ecclesiastical Embroidery projects.
Starting a new Advent project for the church with a Star design. Quickly framed the Altar Frontal design and now onto the fun part – stitching with shiny Silver Metallic Threads. Exploring different options like Smooth Passing, Silver Twists, Check Thread, and Rococo to outline the Advent Star. The aim is to make it shimmer and shine with various textures and to create a beautiful Altar Frontal, Chalice Veil, and Pulpit Fall for Advent season.
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.
The focus is on testing card padding for Goldwork Embroidery. Clear Fuse from a local Fabric Store was used to create card padding for the IHS Ecclesiastical Embroidery Design. The card padding was cut and prepared for a sample test with gold thread. Additional stitching is planned to secure the card padding in place.
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.
Monk habits, historical garments made in monasteries, had unique designs, each order having its own variations. The patterns and techniques were kept secret. With changing times, habits faded, and the knowledge of making them vanished. Traditional Monk Habit patterns and construction techniques are now disappearing with the loss of skilled tailors.
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