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Tag: Liturgical Vintage

Liturgical vintage is a term that people use to describe antique or vintage items that they use in religious celebrations. These items can include chalices, vestments, candlesticks, and other decorative objects that people use in religious services.

People consider liturgical vintage important in religious celebrations. It connects present-day worshippers to the rich history and traditions of their faith. In addition, people often consider liturgical vintage items to have symbolic and spiritual significance. For example, a chalice used in a liturgical celebration may have been used in countless masses over many years. It shows a powerful symbol of the continuity and ongoing nature of the faith. Religious vintage items can also be beautiful works of art in their own right, adding to the overall aesthetic and spiritual experience of a church service. For many people, incorporating liturgical vintage items into religious celebrations is an important way to honor the past and connect with the traditions of their faith.

Regalia of a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece Habsburg Splendor at Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Habsburg Splendor at Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Featuring the Habsburg Splendor Exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, a showcase of exquisite goldwork embroidery. Don’t miss some pieces, including suits of armor, tapestries, curiosities, and renowned paintings by artists like Caravaggio and Hans Holbein. Visit the intricate details on the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s webpage for a closer look at this splendid collection.

Illustration for Cope Hood The First Martyr

Trash or Treasure?

Trash or Treasure?
– These beautiful Ecclesiastical Designs are in tatters, are torn, and have none of their original beauty or glory. But they represent the hard work and artistic talent of a designer from years ago, creating ideas on paper to be transferred via Needle and Thread to fabric. They represent hours of selfless giving of time and talent to create objects of beauty for use in the Church.

Mary Barber Some Drawings from Ancient Embroideries Six winged creature

Mary Barber’s Six Winged Creature Drawing

Two of those unusual things are the Seraphim and the Cherubim.  Artisans of the past have grappled with these creatures and provided some interesting interpretations.  The powdering designs, dating from the glory days of Opus Anglicanum, give us some wonderful examples of these delightful interpretations of Seraphim and Cherubim.

Angel Ecclesiastical Embroidery at Liverpool Cathedral

Embroidery Galleries of Liverpool Cathedral

“The Embroideries at Liverpool” book talks about how people made beautiful embroideries for Liverpool Cathedral. A group of ladies had the idea to use one designer for all the embroideries, making them match the building. The book shares the story of these women who not only created amazing embroideries but also helped with the money for the projects.

Ely Cathedral Event

Exciting Ecclesiastical Embroidery event at Ely Cathedral in the UK! The Royal School of Needlework presents over 60 stunning displays, including rare pieces like the Litany of Loreto panels. showcasing exquisite needlework and historical artifacts from Ely Cathedral. Workshops on goldwork and silk shading add to the charm of this event.

Butler Bowden Cope  -  Grace Christie Embroidery: A Collection of Articles on Subjects Connected with Fine Embroidery

Happy New Year

Post from Gracie Christie’s book Embroidery: A Collection of Articles on Subjects Connected with Fine Embroidery which had the design for the lion’s head worked in pearl and beadwork.  While updating links in that article, some other resources surfaced, which might provide enjoyable reading and viewing as the New Year gets underway.  The first stop is a short journey back in time to a previous Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Ecclesiastical Vestments of the Middle Ages: An Exhibition. 

Goud, zilver and zijde by Marike Van Roon, , Holiday Break

Holiday Break

Book written by Marike van Roon, Head Curator at Amsterdam University as her dissertation was added to my library last summer and has become a favorite.  Beginning at around the 1800s, the book lays out the history of European Ecclesiastical History through the 1960s.  There is a nice mix of primary source material in the form of sketches and illustrations from texts and authors of the period, while stunning black and white, and color photography of actual vestments pieces

Elizabeth – Watts and Co

Elizabeth Hoare, the owner of Watts and Co., played a unique role in preserving Ecclesiastical Vestment history. During her ownership, she safeguarded hand-embroidered works from the late 19th to mid-20th century, ensuring their survival when they were undervalued. Her efforts created a lasting legacy, and today, her collection is displayed at Liverpool Cathedral’s Cathedral Gallery.

Simple Hand Embroidered Cross Design

Ecclesiastical Embroidery Designs A Starting Point

Entering the world of Ecclesiastical Sewing may seem challenging, with fears of intricate designs and historic techniques. However, beauty lies in simplicity, like a humble 1930s hand-embroidered cross. Draw inspiration from vintage patterns, such as Thomas Brown’s Church Embroideries, offering a variety of ideas. For machine embroidery enthusiasts, Windstar Embroidery digitizes Thomas Brown’s designs, providing creativity suggestions for hand embroiderers. Those with artistic talent can create personalized designs, adding a unique touch. To start, consider creating a stole, a beginner-friendly Ecclesiastical Sewing project.

Color guide on a hand embroidery pattern

Rare Find Part II

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.

Some Drawings of Ancient Embroidery by Mary Barber

A Rare Find

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.

Applied or Applique Work for Church Embroidery

Changing Plans?

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!