Sometimes words escape us. We don’t know what to say, but our hearts are full of gratitude for the blessings of those around us, and for the gifts of God’s Blessings we are given every day. Today has been one of those days where Blessings abound and there is a little story to be told about how this day came to be. Last spring I shared several digital machine embroidery designs with Peter who is the wonderful man in the United Kingdom that helps create our beautiful Liturgical brocade fabrics. He was so pleased with the designs I sent that he suggested they be used as the foundation motifs for creating a liturgical brocade fabric. That was a rather scary proposition! It is one thing to design a machine embroidery motif or a church vestment. But to design a fabric?! That was uncharted territory.

Many of you may be familiar with the Patonce Cross and

 

and Luther Rose Emblem.

These two motifs were selected as the main design elements in the Luther Rose Fabric. Thus, was a seed planted. I made a few feeble attempts at creating a fabric and my ideas were nourished and fed. Like a good gardener, Peter pruned and guided my steps, making suggestions along the way. The idea was to create a fabric that was distinctly Lutheran to mark the Celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on October 31, 2017. I got to a point where the fabric was close but not quite there yet. Peter yet again provided encouragement and guidance. Time went by, and the seed lay dormant over the long summer months.

Thus was a seed planted. Like a seed trying to take root, I made a few feeble attempts at creating a fabric and my ideas were nourished and fed. Like a good gardener, Peter pruned and guided my steps, making suggestions along the way. The idea was to create a fabric that was distinctly Lutheran to mark the Celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on October 31, 2017. I got to a point where the fabric was close but not quite there yet. Peter yet again provided encouragement and guidance. Time went by, and the seed lay dormant over the long summer months.

As fall approached the desire to resume the project took root. It the fabric was going to be available for the Reformation Celebration, it needed to be done immediately. I made one last attempt at correcting the scroll work between the Luther Rose Emblem and the Fleur Cross. Then the design was sent to Peter. He contacted the weaving designer to put the design in a weaving pattern. the first attempt came back nice, but it was not perfect.

At about the same time, I came into contact with Edward Riojas, and asked about collaborating on a machine embroidery design project. On a whim, I asked if he would take a look at the Luther Rose fabric and if he might be able to create a vine motif that would bridge the main fabric elements. Within the span of an hour, Edward provided 3 design options, and we settled on the one he created with the grapes and leaves. New designs were sent to Peter for weaving design, sample weaves were created, finalized and approved. In less than four months a new liturgical brocade has been created.

The fabric has a pleasing pattern that catches the eye. I find myself looking at it time and again, with its rich symbolism, in awe and amazement.  Has the fabric has come to life at last? Yes, indeed! With the help of Edward, Peter, and most of all with the encouragement and support of my dear Husband Clint.

It is with great pleasure I introduce the Luther Rose Liturgical Brocade Fabric.*

Solo Dei Gloria

Be sure to visit our online store front Ecclesiastical Sewing where you may shop for Liturgical Fabrics, altar linen fabrics, church vestment making patterns, liturgical machine embroidery designs,  church vestment trims and notions and so much more. You may also find us on  Ecclesiastical Sewing  on Facebook , Twitter, and Pinterest. Sing up for our mailing list  at the bottom of the page on our online store front and receive a free copy of our Small Linens Booklet as our way of saying thank you for following along.

*Luther Rose is being introduced in red. Additional liturgical colors will be added as needed, beginning white and green.

Filed under: Ecclesiastical Fabric, Ecclesiastical Sewing, Liturgical Fabrics, Reformation, Reformation Sunday Tagged: Eccleaistacal Sewing, EdwardRiojas, Liturgical Brocade, Luther Rose Design, Luther Rose Liturgical Fabric