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Funeral Vestments

The Clergy presiding over the service wore matching cream-colored vestments with tapestry orphreys. Another clergy wore vestments such as surplices, dalmatic, tunic, and chasuble, according to their role and position within the church. Clergy robed in matching white chasubles lined the stairs to pay their last respects as the flag-draped coffin left the Cathedral

Fairford Violet Liturgical Fabric

Lenten Stole with Two-Toned Fairford

Lenten stoles with Two-Toned Fairford fabric. Featuring a unique blend of violet and gold, these stoles showcase a black cross on each orphrey band, perfect for the Penitential Season of Lent.

Silk Thread Color Card from Designs for Church Embroidery

Designs for Church Embroidery: an Original Copy

Author notes from original copy
– The color card at the beginning of the book has been inserted by the kind permission of Messrs. Liberty & Co., of Regent Street, London; and A. R. cannot say enough in praise of their colors and the Filo Floss silks sold by them.  Many of the colors, she says, are perfect; and this verdict is made after comparing them with many original pictures of the old masters in Italy and elsewhere – the shades of red, green, blue, and browns being spoken of with special praise.

New Acquisition: Vintage Vestment Book Treasure

New Acquisition: Vintage Vestment Book Treasure

Vintage Vestment Book Treasure: The book title is written diagonally across the upper left corner, and the initials AR are in the lower left corner.  The inscription or dedication also lends a bit of mystery: To my friend Alethea Wiel The Designs in this Volume are Dedicated A. R.

Royal School of Needlework Exhibit

Royal School of Needlework Exhibit

The Royal School of Needlework has an exhibit titled:  ‘For Worship & Glory’ taking place at Chester Cathedral, 3 – 28 February 2016. The highlight of the exhibit is six pieces of the famous Litany of Lorento embroideries, which were donated to the Royal School by the nuns from the now-closed Convent of the Holy Child in Mayfield East Sussex. 

Favorite Things: Vintage Vestment Books

Reading about techniques from church embroidery and church vestment books.

Vestment Making in the News

Ecclesiastical Sewing and Church vestment-making news from around the internet.

Wedding Weekends

Happy New Year from Ecclesiastical Sewing! After a busy month of home remodeling and wedding preparations, the workroom turned into a wedding hub. From groomsmen alterations to bridesmaid dresses and vintage veil restyling, it was a flurry of activity. The remodeled space is now organized and lovely!

Installation of a New Pastor

Within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, red is the traditional liturgical color to be worn for installation service.  And look at all of the lovely red stoles! Within our church body, it is tradition for pastors within the local circuit to attend the installation service of a brother pastor. At this installation service, there were a total of seventeen pastors vested in red stoles! There is a wealth and abundance in the variety of pastoral stoles.

Black Silk Dupioni Stole with Fairford Orphrey Bands

Finished Stoles: Fairford Black/Gold

Finished Fairford Black/Gold Pastoral Stole, a farewell gift for our pastor. This stole is perfect for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The black silk dupioni and Fairford brocade orphrey bands in black/gold create a stunning look. with a budget-friendly materials like silk dupioni and the beautiful St. Benet braid trim. Added a cross and chain for the finishing touch.

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

Annunciation Embroidery Designs

Goldwork and stunning colors set this Annunciation design apart from many others.  There is a lovely write-up and information on this Cope Hood on Needle ‘n Thread.

Ely Crown Brocade stole Kit

Pugin – in an Orphrey Trim?

Pugin was a famous designer of churches and all of the needed furnishings in England in the early 1800s. He sadly died at the age of forty. But he has left a legacy of beautiful liturgical art. Pugin designed many items, including some stunning vestments. Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum houses a collection of his vestments.

Ecclesiastical Machine Embroidery Designs waiting to be hemmed

Machine Embroidery for Pastoral Stoles

Pastoral stoles with machine-appliqué motifs are in progress. Using pre-made machine-embroidered patches, the Gold St. Benet trim is chosen for a finishing touch. The appliqué is then stitched onto the stole.

Sewing Galloon Trim to Orphrey Bands

Sewing Galloon Trim to Orphrey Bands

Sewing galloon trim to orphrey bands for pastoral stoles. Pre-make orphrey bands by pinning galloon trim to the base fabric before stitching. Ensure the surged edge is halfway up the trim to avoid fraying. Use an even feed foot on the sewing machine to prevent puckering. Stitch close to the galloon edge, back-stitching at the start and end. Repeat for each orphrey piece, maintaining even stitching. Check the position of the fourth piece to ensure alignment. This method reduces puckers and ensures a polished look for your pastoral stole. Happy sewing!