The Chasuble Percy Dearmer
Did you ever look at a poncho and think that it reminded you of something familiar? We know that the poncho, a Spanish garment, originated in Spain and today is… Read more The Chasuble Percy Dearmer →
Altare Dei–The Altar of God
Upon entering the sanctuary of a Christian Church, those coming to worship immediately have their gaze directed towards a particular object. Placed in the front and center of a sanctuary,… Read more Altare Dei–The Altar of God →
Wish Lists Royal School of Needlework Style
Wish lists, bucket lists, things our hearts desire…………We all have hopes and dreams that someday we would like to do______________ (fill in the blank). As an admirer of the fine… Read more Wish Lists Royal School of Needlework Style →
Designs for Church Embroidery: an Original Copy
There is something special about a rare vintage Church Vestment book. Maybe it is that sense of wonder and awe that an Ecclesiastical Embroidery Book is still around and in… Read more Designs for Church Embroidery: an Original Copy →
New Acquisition: Vintage Vestment Book Treasure
This week marked the return of some favorite things to the Ecclesiastical Sewing workroom, as well as my return to the new work space. Many things are in their new places, but there are a great many items in need of a place to call home. With sub-zero temperatures, some of the item must remain in their frozen storage space to await more temperate conditions for sorting and retrieval. With only half of my tools, and equipment available and half still MIA (missing in action), it is a challenge to… Read more New Acquisition: Vintage Vestment Book Treasure →
Favorite Things: Vintage Vestment Books
These are a few of my favorite things………….. yes, that famous line from a favorite song comes to mind as I finally return to the Ecclesiastical Sewing workroom. It seems like ages since I have had a chance to spend time working on projects or even spend time in the workroom. Last fall saw a six-week period where everything was moved out of the workroom in preparation for a major remodel. The timing was a challenge: everything started four weeks before our daughter’s wedding. But survival is assured with a… Read more Favorite Things: Vintage Vestment Books →
Orphrey Bands for Pastoral Stoles
The use of orphrey bands for trimming pastoral stoles opens an endless array of design possibilities. Many of you might be familiar with using orphreys as a means of adding design details to ecclesiastical sewing projects, while others may be wondering what exactly does this word mean, and how does one pronounce it. Orphreys are decorative bands or ornamental borders used on items, especially Ecclesiastical items, such as church vestments and altar hangings. In French Orphron, which Du Cange explains by Frange d’ or. It signifies a band or bands… Read more Orphrey Bands for Pastoral Stoles →
A Handbook for Altar Guilds by Lucy Vaughn Hayden Mackrille
Reverence is a tender, affectionate regard for holy things. Reverence is placed first because it is our greatest need in the preparation of our work in the sanctuary. Whatever else we lack, reverence we must have. This spirit of reverence lies underneath and behind all our work in the sanctuary and in the chancel. Why do we wish to make our Church beautiful? Because God our heavenly Father is there. The Tabernacle in the wilderness, though scarcely more than a tent, was made glorious within and without because it was… Read more A Handbook for Altar Guilds by Lucy Vaughn Hayden Mackrille →
Sir Ninian Comper: Ecclesiastical Embroidery Designer
A man should, from his youth, seek for forms which are beautiful. At first he should love but one of them; then recognize the beauty which resides in one as the sister of that which dwells in another. Philosophy helps, from Plato onwards, because it puts beauty in the right place as one of the three eternal values equal with truth and goodness so that what applies to one of them is true of the others.’ – Sir Ninian Comper (Symunson & Bucknall, 2006, p.19) Beauty is something that is… Read more Sir Ninian Comper: Ecclesiastical Embroidery Designer →
Liturgical Arts Resources
The work week has come to an end, and it is time to relax and catch up with what others are doing within the Liturgical Art scene. Keeping abreast of what other artists are doing, whether they are painters, work in wood, ceramics, or any number of other media, serves as a refueling for my work. So often, one feels like there is no one to connect with in the liturgical arts. We often work at home or in a studio, and seldom get a chance to view the creations… Read more Liturgical Arts Resources →
George Frederick Bodley
There is a book on my shelf – a LARGE book – that has sat on there for far too long. It is time to do a little dusting off, both of the book, of my knowledge of Ecclesiastical History, and the Greats from the Gothic Era. So without further ado, tonight’s topic: the book entitled George Frederick Bodley by Michael Hall. And before I begin, there is a confession to make. I know very little about George Bodley. Hence, the need for the book. George Frederick Bodley was born… Read more George Frederick Bodley →
Vestments and How to Make Them by Lilla Weston
Sundays are a great day to relax and enjoy a good read. One of my favorite vestment books is an old classic on the topic of Liturgical Sewing. Like many books in my vast library on the topic of vestment making, Ecclesiastical Embroidery and the making of church linens, the book of choice for this evening is, well, vintage, if a book can be called that. Or perhaps classic might be a better term. However one looks at it, the book on my work table this evening (at least one… Read more Vestments and How to Make Them by Lilla Weston →
Lace for Church Use Instruction Book
The sweet joys of returning home. After being on the road for over two weeks visiting churches and museums, viewing embroidery collections, partaking in one-on-one workshops on making altar linens, and every imaginable type of Ecclesiastical Sewing, I can honestly say, it is so good to be home! My own sweet sewing space awaits the next project, still in the exact condition I left it in. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on how one looks at it. There are a few things still left out, but… Read more Lace for Church Use Instruction Book →
Travels and Ecclesiastical Sewing Treasures
I must admit, I love to travel. I do not travel often, but for some reason, this year, the early spring and summer season has several trips on the calendar:… Read more Travels and Ecclesiastical Sewing Treasures →
Helpful Church Vestment Books
As time goes on, my library of Church Vestment books has grown, or rather multiplied. When I get asked a question, I often know I have read something about a topic, but it can be a challenge to find the exact book or resource for the information on basic vestment making details or definition and descriptions of liturgical vestments. As the years go on, there are a few books that have become special, and are often the authority on Ecclesiastical Vestments. The resource which I select depends to a great… Read more Helpful Church Vestment Books →
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