Have you ever wanted to make a clergy stole or pulpit fall, but felt a bit confused by all of the terminologies or intimidated at the sheer prospect of making something that would be worn in a church setting?  At Ecclesiastical Sewing, a large part of our mission is to encourage others to learn the skills and techniques needed to create church vestments for their own places of worship. And to that end, we are pleased to announce that Carrie will once again be teaching Church Vestment Making Classes at the Liturgical Arts Conference in Canton, Mississippi in October.

2018 Liturgical Arts Conference
Friday, October 19th
through
Wednesday, October 24th

The Five Day Conference Includes several different Course Offerings: Beginning Stole Making, Advanced Stole Making, Pulpit Falls, and Monastic Chasubles.  Most students will start with the Beginning Stole Making Course and move on the Advanced Stole Making or Pulpit falls. Course Details, kit fees, and other pertinent information is available on the conference website. (The Advance Stole Making Course and Monastic Chasuble Course require the prerequisite of taking the Beginning Stole Making Course. The Monastic Chasuble Course may be taken with instructor approval if the stole making course has not yet been completed ).

Rather than review all of the course details, we thought you might enjoy seeing some of the work created by the students who took the classes last year.

This elegant stole was created by a wonderful lady. This was her first time making church vestments. She selected the Sarum Blue colored Silk Dupioni and added orphrey bands with galloon trim. And yes, she got her orphrey placement perfect! This stole forms the groundwork for the Advance stole making a session.

The Beginning stole making class will feature a liturgical brocade fabric and orphrey trims and braids. Students will learn how to pin, match, and cut a brocade fabric. This stole turned out well, too. The brocade placement was carefully planned, as was the trim placement.

Pulpit falls look intimidating, but once the steps were broken down into small segments, the ladies ended up creating some amazing pieces that looked like finely crafted altar hangings – because they were just that! The above pulpit fall was made using a rich green silk dupioni with an orphrey band and fringe trim at the lower edge. Fringe can be a bit tricky, and once again the ladies mastered the needed techniques and created beautiful finished projects.

Photos do not do these stoles justice. The Ivory brocade stole was simply stunning and a favorite of all!

Class time is focused on learning the techniques to create high quality finished pieces. We do not use fusible or iron-on fusible web. Tailor basting is used so students learn to look, see, and feel when the fabrics are properly placed together and ready for the next step. Our hands and fingers tell us much when it comes to making vestments.

For those who have made stoles in the past yet struggle with finishing the stole bottoms, we took the time to talk through ways to ensure everything matches and falls in place to create that custom look.

It was so much fun working with all of the ladies.  We look forward to renewing friendships and making new friends this year at the Liturgical Arts Conference. Mark your calendars and pack your bags!

Soli Deo Gloria

Please visit Ecclesiastical Sewing’s website at www.ecclesiasticalsewing.com to see our complete line of liturgical fabrics, embroidery emblems, embroidery designs, church vestment patterns, altar linens and church vestments. You may also contact us through the online webpage to inquire about custom orders or vestments.