Why do we use purple during Lent?
Those of us who grew up in denominations that don’t use liturgical colors often find the change of vestments with the seasons a bit confusing. After all, if our pastors… Read more Why do we use purple during Lent? →
Do you have your favorite Violet Stole Style Selected Yet? Lent is coming!
Lent Stoles for Pastors and Priests The designer (that’s ME – Carrie) has been busy keeping our seamstresses stitching away to create a wonderful new collection of stoles that are… Read more Do you have your favorite Violet Stole Style Selected Yet? Lent is coming! →
Planning Your Lent Church Vestment Projects: a Liturgical Fabric Review
It’s the beginning of a New Year! We just finished celebrating the Birth of our Savior, and the 12 Days of Christmas which ended with the Feast of Epiphany. And… Read more Planning Your Lent Church Vestment Projects: a Liturgical Fabric Review →
Easter Blessings
In the evening twilight, the light of candles flicker as churches gather together in Vigil and prayer as they await the Easter dawn. As the pastor glides past aisles, moving… Read more Easter Blessings →
Easter Sunrise Hand Embroidery Design
February has arrived and the days are still bleak and sunless in Northern Minnesota. Now that year-end has wrapped up, it is time to get back to work on Ecclesiastical… Read more Easter Sunrise Hand Embroidery Design →
Agnus Dei Neglected but not Forgotten
The Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends, but oh, how the stitching and other Ecclesiastical Embroidery and church vestment projects suffer from lack of… Read more Agnus Dei Neglected but not Forgotten →
The Second Lamb in The Tale of Two Lambs
The Altar Frontal is often one of the visual focal points in a church. For high Festival Days, the church has historically used its best altar hangings. As is the… Read more The Second Lamb in The Tale of Two Lambs →
A Little Splash of Color
Yesterday, I showed you the finished section of flat silk in the Ecclesiastical Embroidery Design for the Easter Set Pulpit Fall. It is always a thrill to finish one section… Read more A Little Splash of Color →
Progress on Ecclesiastical Embroidery
Ecclesiastical Embroidery and Ecclesiastical Sewing are wonderful, relaxing pass times. I enjoy them with great passion, especially if I get uninterrupted time over the weekend to work on projects. Ecclesiastical… Read more Progress on Ecclesiastical Embroidery →
A Little Stitching Time
After a weekend of organization and fun, it has been back to the work week, and the normal routine during the day. After work and evening chores, trying to squeeze… Read more A Little Stitching Time →
Results of Organization Weekend
It was a long-awaited 4-day weekend. I had envisioned the weekend spent working on Ecclesiastical Sewing projects and continuing on several Ecclesiastical Embroidery projects that are underway, including some much-needed… Read more Results of Organization Weekend →
Goldwork and Meandering Thoughts
A small amount of stitching has been added to the Easter Set Pulpit Fall. The amount is almost not worth mentioning at this point, expect for the fact that it is a stitching technique that I have never tried, but have often admired in the works of others. I have read about the various versions of the Italian Stitch as I talked about last week here: http://blog.ecclesiasticalsewing.com/2014/08/23/sources-of-inspiration-from-lucy-mackrille/ The biggest challenge I find with Ecclesiastical Sewing and Ecclesiastical Embroidery is fear. Fear that what I try may not turn out well enough… Read more Goldwork and Meandering Thoughts →
Underway with Glitters of Gold
Now that the initial task of getting the Ecclesiastical Embroidery Design for the Easter Set Pulpit fall has been accomplished and the laid threads of the Italian stitch seem to suit the area selected, it is time for the next experiment in stitching. I am pretty confident this should work, but there are a few things still to consider. For instance, which of the gold threads in the drawer are best suited for this stitching? The area is rather small, so the gold thread to be used for couching the… Read more Underway with Glitters of Gold →
From Inspiration Source to Stitching
Putting inspiration into action is often a difficult thing when it comes to starting a new Ecclesiastical Embroidery project, especially if it is a little larger hand embroidery project. A larger hand embroidery project can entail size, technique, design complexity of the embroidery pattern, and many more concerns. Taking those first stitches, however, and having them look well is a thrill! Over the past week or so, I have been writing about the Easter Set Pulpit fall, the steps taken to get that framed up, and the design transferred using the… Read more From Inspiration Source to Stitching →
Sources of Inspiration from Lucy Mackrille
Where does inspiration come from when it comes to choosing stitches for current projects? There is a vision of the final project for the Easter Set in my mind, but getting there will be an experiment. Experimenting while stitching along. Yes, this Ecclesiastical Embroidery Easter Set project is experimental. The good news is that there are certain features that I have seen and admired from the beautiful hand embroidery works of others. And so, for now, it is helpful to follow along with the advice and inspiration which comes from… Read more Sources of Inspiration from Lucy Mackrille →