The Embroidered Altar Pall

In the Old Testament, we read about the Ark of the Covenant - that magnificent home and protection for the written word of God. This Ark was considered so special that even the priests whose job it was to carried it were not allowed to look at it with their eye. A veil was placed between the human eye and the Holy of Holies.

Would it be a wonder then, if we should emulate even a fraction of this honor due God when housing His very Own True Presence in the Blessed Sacrament? Every big and little ornament and article used in to the purpose of housing and protecting Our Lord must be special and in turn, beautiful.

Tabernacle, veil, jewels, and even the chalice themselves should be made of the finest of materials for the King of Kings. And when He comes to us in Holy Communion, the priest insures that not even a particle of dust or debris will fall near him. How does this happen?

With the help of a pall.

Made of linen and stiffened inside to board-like stiffness, the altar pall is used to cover the Chalice and prevent anything from falling inside. This simple tool has a giant purpose. Given it's high office, the pall is often embroidered and decorated with the finest in Catholic motifs and designs.

Our seamstress did an amazing job on this special order for custom palls. These beauties will grace the altar through the hands of a priest in Canada, thanks to the generosity of his friends.

"And I clothed thee with embroidery, and shod thee with violet coloured shoes: and I girded thee about with fine linen, and clothed thee with fine garments." - Ezechiel 16:10

www.catholicembroidery.com

About Our Custom Book Covers

So, can Catholic Embroidery really make a book cover to fit ANY book?

The answer is: YES!

Customers write quite often, asking if our book cover customization services extend beyond embroidery and into the book size as well. There hasn't been a book yet to date, that we haven't been able to cover.

This includes covering Bibles, prayer-books, missals, antique collections, handbooks, Diurnals, and choir books. Not only do the covers offer ultimate zipper-enforced protection from wear, tear, and elements, the added feature of optional custom embroidery will make your book a walking piece of Catholic art.

To cover your favorite book, simply order a Custom Book Cover from our website and enter your book's dimensions and any other choice options at your disposal. {Measure in inches or millimeters, looking at the book head-on: height, length, and spine width.} That's it! Our talented seamstresses will take care of the rest, designing a cover that will fit your book like a glove!

The old adage is true: We've gotcha covered. :)

www.catholicembroidery.com

Embroidered Stole: Golden Maltese Crosses

White & violet brocade fabrics designed to allow for a "reversible" stole

It's such a treat to work with talented seamstresses across the country! I am always amazed at the ideas, vision, and array of beautiful fabrics that take shape into exquisite treasures for priests and the altar through their skillful hands.

One such seamstress recently contacted us with a special custom project: Maletese Crosses embroidered in gold metallic thread on stole she is creating for a a priest.

The small gold cross will rest, as always, on the neck of the priest...

And as usual, this special request gave me the opportunity to learn more about my Faith and the symbolism in her art and liturgy. The Maltese Cross' history and symbolism can be found in last week's blog post... while the meaning of the stole is shared below:

"A liturgical vestment composed of a strip of material from two to four inches wide and about eighty inches long. It has either a uniform width throughout, or is somewhat narrower towards the middle, widening at the ends in the shape of a trapezium or spade. A small cross is generally sewed or embroidered on the stole at both ends and in the middle; the cross, however, is prescribed only for the middle, where the priest kisses the stole before putting it on... Stoles for festivals are generally ornamented with embroidery, especially what are called 'vesper stoles'... At the ordination of priests the bishop draws the part of the stole that rests at the back of the candidate's neck forward over the breast and lays the two ends crosswise, saying: 'Receive the yoke of the Lord, for His yoke is sweet and His burden is light.'... The giving of the stole to the candidate at ordination in Rome was intended to convey a double symbolism; first, that the elevation to the clergy of the Roman Church occurred de benedictione S. Petri, and secondly that by ordination the candidate entered the service of St. Peter, that is of the Roman Church." - From the Catholic Encyclopedia online

This "Penitential" side of the stole will be used for while
hearing confessions... during Lent... Advent...

Jesus, Jesus Come to me!

"Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me; for the kingdom of heaven is for such." Matthew 19:14

Such words are remembered almost on a daily basis this spring! With over 35 orders for custom First Communion Handkerchiefs within a month's time gracing our workroom, we unite ourselves to so many First Communions all over the world.

But it's not just handkerchiefs that are used to commemorate the special days of little boys and girls - we are always thrilled to work with customer's special requests. One mother called us and asked if we could embroider our new Trefoil Chalice design on her daughter's dress.

Gold and silver metallic thread on top of the satin-white fabric, you ask? Stunning.

Congratulations to all of the children and adults who are receiving Our Lord for the first time. May all our communions be as sacred to us as that "first".

"Jesus, Jesus, come to me,

All my longing is for Thee, 

Of all friends the best thou art, 

Make of me Thy counterpart. 

Jesus, I live for Thee, 

Jesus, I die for Thee, 

I belong to Thee, 

Forever in life and death."

On the Road with Catholic Embroidery

Last month found our family and home-based business taking to the road. The St. Louis Catholic Homeschool Conference 2013 was the destination and purpose for packing up our wares for an other-than-internet display. This was our fourth consecutive year as conference vendors and our booth gets bigger and bigger with each year. :)

Such adventures bring with them much work - but more joy! Working together as a family in an "all for one, one for all" way is the best of bonding. This time found our shop-away-from-home well equipped with brother-haulers, sister decorators, a father planner, and a mother to supervise "catering". :) Even our dummy served it's purpose well!

Many of our newest products also made their debut at the conference, including these beauties:

Mother's Crown Handkerchief

Embroidered handkerchief with Cardinal Mindzenty's famous quote, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" in honor of mothers, everywhere.

Click here to purchase yours! 

Catholic Symbol Doilies

Adding a Catholic flair with classic style to homes (coffee tables, home altars, dining rooms, etc.)

Click here to order yours! 

There's no telling where Catholic Embroidery will take to the road next time. Maybe you'll see us in your neck-of-the-woods! 

www.catholicembroidery.com

Off to Africa!

These lovely, crisp linens are on their way now through the [less-than-prompt] postal route from the USA to AFRICA! 

Two generous seamstresses donated their time and talent in the creation of these amices, purificators, lavabo towels, and corproals that will soon mantle the very altar of Our Lord's repose and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - in a mission church.  The good priest who runs the mission has seen such an increase in attendance over the past few months, that more Mass times are necessary to add on the regular Sunday schedule. In addition, an altar boy guild and Daughters of the Mission society are presently in formation, providing excellent activities in sports, carpentry, cooking, and sewing for the young members of the mission, under the direction of the pastor. What a joy to be able to be even the smallest part of this great work in the form of little embroidered crosses to this growing mission. :)

Interested in supporting this African Mission and learning more? Click here to donate through a safe and secure site and enjoy reading about the blessings your donation will provide to the care of so many souls.

For an insider scoop to the work, fun, and stories in the Catholic Embroidery world, follow us on Facebook!

www.catholicembroidery.com

Embroidery for the Elderly

We've been busy here in the Catholic Embroidery workshop! With Easter at hand and a host of Liturgical and Sacramental celebrations in the near forecast, our needles have been flying away, creating designs for Easter, First Communions, Ordinations, and more.

Easter and Marian feasts will be duly celebrated at the nursing home with these appliques

It was a pleasure to work with a local seamstress on designs to complement vestments to be worn at a nursing home throughout the year. These were created just-in-time to be applied to vestments for the upcoming feasts of Easter, Pentecost, Masses of Our Lady in May. I think we covered the next few months' worth of feasts with these beauties! What do you think?

Not a coincidence that this design was created during the recent conclave :-)

www.catholicembroidery.com

Viva San Giuseppe!

Do you have a devotion to St. Joseph? 

Viva San Guiseppe Applique created for a church in LA

If you do, then you have an idea as to the power, protection, and patronage behind the Foster Father of Our Lord. And, if you're new to this devotion and saint, you're in for a real treat! Discovering St. Joseph is like finding a lost father. So close is he to the Throne of God and the heart of Our Lady that in finding him, in him we find the Holiest of Families. 

Today starts the novena to St. Joseph, to end on the eve of his March 19th feast-day. While there are so many novena prayers to choose from, I must share with you our family's favorite. Each member of our family chooses an intention, usually including a need for a male family member or friend (father, uncle, grandfather, neighbor, etc. - because after all, St. Joseph is especially fond of fathers and leaders of families) and we pray the novena prayer below, together. In this way, we're all uniting our intentions into one giant "delivery", heavenward. It is safe to say that not ONE intention has ever been left unanswered, and our amazement never ceases when an uncle or friend converts, a holy spouse is provided for, a job is found, or our own father's graces are multiplied.  From small financial requests to bankruptcy - St. Joseph is there to aid his children, no matter the level of impossibility or need. 

Will you join us this year, in offering to St. Joseph your nearest and dearest of intentions? 

Novena Prayer to St. Joseph: 

O glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and the special favor we now implore. (mention your request)

(7 Times) O glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.

Amen.

These Viva San Giusepee appliques were created for customers participating in the St. Joseph Altar tradition. They will be sewn onto aprons, altar coverings, etc.

www.catholicembroidery.com

A Commencement Speech Without Words

Our new Vendee Patches are more than a kid's accessory!

From a valued customer: "I've received the Vendée Cross patch. Thank you very much for shipping it so swiftly, and I must say that it has, indeed, exceeded my expectations. I'm a professor at Loyola Marymount University, here in Los Angeles, and I had hoped to wear the patch pinned to my academic robe at commencement; I shall certainly do so proudly. Many thanks, and every blessing for Lent. " 

Thank you, Professor, for this encouraging example of living the Faith and serving Christ the King in the public forum - and at a Catholic University commencement, at that!

God bless,
Mary

www.catholicembroidery.com 

GIVEAWAY: *Lent and Easter* in Hearts & Homes

Winners announced!! See below:

Many bloggers have written beautiful and encouraging posts and articles on the "keywords" of making a good Lenten preparation for Easter. Words such as "renew" and "prepare" apply to Advent as they do in Lent. After all, this "coming" of Christ as redeemer is also the anniversary of our redemption!

Taking these wise words to heart and home, we're hosting another giveaway, featuring your favorite, Lenten Traditions. Remember all of those great traditions we learned about in the Advent giveaway? Let's talk Lent!

Simply leave a comment to this post with a reflection you put into action during the Lenten season in preparation for Easter. Be they certain family sacrifices, traditions, prayers, works, etc. - we want to hear all about them! In honor of the coming feast of Easter and in thanks for participation from our guests, friends, and commentators, we'll be giving away TWO of the Catholic Embroidery Easter specials to TWO lucky winners:

Pysanky Basket Liner/Cover, embroidered with our traditional Ukrainian Budded Cross design

Congratulations to PATTY, who shared, "In our little family we go out of our way to pray a family Rosary every night. We usually pair it with a novena, which keeps us motivated to make sure to pray every single night. By the time Lent is over, it is a good habit we have formed and we do our best to carry it on the rest of the year."

Lamb of God Apron, embroidered with the Triumphant Lamb of God design on washable white fabric (lol)

Congratulations to Jennifer Gregory Miller, who shared, "A few of our Lenten traditions: We pray a decade of the rosary every night, except Stations of the Cross on Fridays. We have a grapevine wreath with craft picks for thorns. These are removed every time extra prayers, good deeds or sacrifices are performed.

Ladies, please send us your mailing address by March 25th. Thank you all for participating!

**With two winners in the forecast, a second chance at winning is at hand. Simply "Like" us on Facebook and leave a comment here, telling us about it in order to qualify for a second chance at winning these lovely additions to the Easter table.

To ensure that the winners will be able to put these items to good use, the giveaway will end on Laetare Sunday at 11:59PM . International visitors are welcome.

Can't wait to hear about your favorite Lenten traditions!

P.S. Don't forget your St. Patrick Breastplate Pillowcases for St. Patrick's Day!

www.catholicembroidery.com

Trefoil Chalice & Pall Design

Your request is our desire! Our third new design of the week is an answer to many customer requests:

 Finally - a chalice and host design with two tone metallic thread!

Choose our Trefoil Chalice design on your next custom-made missal cover and see the delightful coupling of two-tone thread in-action. A perfect design for First Communion gifts, the Trefoil Chalice would be the perfect gift as Remembrance Embroidered Artwork.
To the right, you'll find it stitched in two tone metallic and ready for application on missal covers!


Created with an additional angular border, the Trefoil Chalice Pall design was inspired by handmade antique embroidery found in Belgian abbeys. While not condusive to the ordinary application, this exclusive design is ready to stitch on the next "Peter's" Pall. :)

Trefoil Chalice and Trefoil Chalice Pall Designs © Catholic Embroidery, 2013

www.catholicembroidery.com

Stella Maris Design

The second of our new designs to be released this week is off the horizon and safely docked in gallery harbor. (Sorry. Can't help the seaside metaphors that this designs has inspired!) Behold our new:

Stella Maris Design

As the Latin name suggests, this design is made to represent Our Lady under the title, "Star of the Sea".  

But with this symbolism in Our Lady's ancient title comes a second title, hidden within. The Star above the Marian "M" in this design is modeled directly after the Star of David - another title to which Our Lady derives devotion. 

Colors: Even in this design's color, we find symbolism! The ocean-full of blue-shades (literally) perfectly complete the metaphor of Mary -- always represented in blue - to the Ocean. Choose your favorite shade to compliment your project, or enjoy the triple color combination we created in outlining this seaside favorite.

For an outline project, consider gold or white, especially in the use of altar linens and palls.

Uses: This design is ready for any adventure - whether on a tote to carry, decorating your treasured missal cover, or accenting a special Marian vestment or linen set, you can be sure that the devotion to Our Lady will not be lacking in it's use!

Stella Maris Design © Catholic Embroidery, 2013

www.catholicembroidery.com

Diamond Cross Design

This week on the Catholic Embroidery Blog, we're introducing THREE new and exclusive designs to our gallery. Our designers have been hard at work to create designs that express the Faith in symbolism for application in a host of treasures around the home and sacristy.

The first of the three news designs is our new Diamond Leaf Cross:

The trefoil leaves flanking the center diamond cross represent the Trinity in typical "clover" style. The leaf grouping of "four" represents the Four Gospels surrounding the life - and in symbolism of the cross, death - of Our Lord.

Colors: Designed as a one-tone color design, this cross with a quartet of leaves in array is stunning as-is, but would also look lovely in one of our varigated threads. 

Uses: Ready to stitch on your favorite item, this design is especially appropiate and lovely on custom palls, altar linens, vestments, and stoles.

Consider white-on-white for altar linens for a subtle look.

The Diamond Leaf Cross design ©Catholic Embroidery, 2013

Viva Cristo Rey! - and More!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Our new Cristeros Apron!

A new year in the Catholic Embroidery workshop always means the planning of new designs and products with which to grace homes, schools, priests, and families. 

But unlike other years when "all good things come in time", this year already has a host of new designs, product lines, and handmade goodness to offer. 

Fresh off the printing press is our new line of Catholic Decals - made with our exclusive designs for indoor and outdoor use and intended to be as long lasting as the inspiration behind the artwork. Our first decal honors St. Therese and gives you the opportunity to remember to live her Little Way throughout your day, while sharing it with the world in the form of your car, truck, window, or equipment. Click here to order yours!

Our embroidered missal/Bible/book covers are a big hit among men, women, and children alike. With each one, handmade by our expert seamstresses, a note such as this inevitably comes in return: "The missal cover you made for me arrived today.  I can't tell you how much I love it!!  It exceeds my expectations!" We're now offering our handmade covers in Basic form, unadorned, and ready to protect the favorite bound blessings in your life. Click here for more!

And last, but certainly not least, we're pleased to introduce our Wicklow Cross and Crown design as an exclusive Cristeros Apron!!!!! Wear this apron with pride as the true goals of this life are expressed with a stunning design and words: "Viva Criso Rey" Long Live Christ the King! Sewn with the colors of Our Lady's Tilma, this apron is perfect for men and women alike. 

Stay tuned for NEW DESIGNS - Coming soon!

God bless,

Mary

www.catholicembroidery.com

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Appliques: Embroidery in Portable Form

In creating an exclusive design gallery of uniquely Catholic designs, our objective to bring the beauty of the Church across the world reaches beyond the various products we've created and decorated with stitches. 

One of the most helpful mediums of custom embroidery is the form of the applique - a patch-like piece of embroidery in portable form. This is especially helpful for school badges, accessorizing, various sewing projects, and vesica designs for vestments and banners.  In the ordering of an applique, customers can choose from our design gallery, supply their own fabric for the background if they so desire (or choose from our stock fabrics), and determine the best border frame for the applique. It especially is helpful for quick sewing projects that would take too much time to ship to our workshop and return. 

Our appliques have even been known to adorn All Saints Day Costumes made by mothers and their children. Because of the finished nature of our appliques, they can be applied to be as permanent as you wish - pinning or sewing. 

The Sacred and Immaculate appliques below have been created with a special altar cloth in-mind... stay tuned for more!

www.catholicembroidery.com

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Project: On Your Wedding Day

"We were asked to present a personalized bible during our son's wedding. I asked Mary to make a special cover out of white fabric and the result was stunning! My son and future daughter in law will have a keepsake for the rest of their lives made by someone we know. Thank you so much for your good work, Mary!" - L.H.

May this treasured design always reflect the love and fidelity that this marriage will bring under the sanction of Holy Matrimony! It's always an honor and a joy to contribute to the celebration of such a union - even in the smallest of ways. Congratulations to the couple!

Giveaway! Advent in Hearts and Homes

Only a few more weeks will find us beginning that blessed and new season of the next Liturgical Year, preparing our hearts once again for the coming of Our Savior's Birth. The Infant King is asking again to come into our hearts and homes. Are we ready?

In addition to the prayers, reflections, and sacrifices taken up toward this end, consider adding the voices of His Spouses to the spirit of your home this Advent. The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles have launched a CD with a large collection of Advent related music - including Gregorian Chant, polyphony, and hymns - in order to share the daily life of love they live through song with those outside the convent walls. Purchasing "Advent at Ephesus" from the sister's website will help support the sisters and assist in the building of a permanent monastery.

Check out this video for a gorgeous glimpse of the music and the spirituality behind the voices!

Now for the Giveaway!!! In the hopes of reflecting the spirit of Advent from heart to home, we are giving away an Advent Embroidered Apron to one lucky winner. This apron would make a fitting addition to the many culinary creations sure to come from your kitchen this Christmas!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment to this post, telling us about your favorite Advent tradition. Share the giveaway on facebook and qualify for TWO comment entries!!!!!!

Giveaway will end on November 26th at 12pm. Enter now and this apron just may become yours!

www.catholicembroidery.com

Thread of Beauty: About Our Designs

“Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you!”—St. Augustine of Hippo

It is no secret that the world has forever been enhanced by beautiful things. However, it is often forgotten how beauty, or lack thereof, plays a part in the formation and life of the human soul. We are reminded of this in the age-old quote, "the eyes are the window to the soul". This fact is a simple truth that has often been proven scientifically in the world of music, art, and literature for centuries. Where there is beauty, there is God. Beauty brings order, balance, and truth to society and culture.

Art, in all of its forms, has dictated the influence of beauty into cultures throughout the ages. When we were introduced into the art of embroidery, a world of monograms and letters quickly blossomed into a passion for beauty in the form of stitches. And as practicing Catholics, we didn't have to look far to find a history of Religious Embroidery Treasures of our Catholic heritage. In finding a treasury of embroidery history, one fact remained simple yet devestatingly true: such examples of beauty through stitches are not being produced today as they once were.

Our Ave Maria Design accenting the back of a chasuble. 

In fact, we quickly realized that companies and design creators have left much to be desired in Catholic embroidery. Bringing spirituality to the eyes and therefore, but extension, the hearts of souls through embroidery became our passion.

We began by creating our own designs, through the expertise and creativity of some of the finest in Catholic artists. Taking inspiration from ancient art, personal devotion, and the study of the Catholic Church through art, our gallery began to take shape. Now, nearly 50 designs have been added to our signature design gallery. Each has been copyrighted to protect the originality and work behind the image creation. And, more are always being added!

Our Holy Matrimony Symbol - Two Hearts United in One

Within no time, our designs became available to the public in a host of forms, many of which are products we created, that are shared daily throughout the world. Whether accompanying the prayers of the priest at the foot of the altar, tucked safely inside pockets, carried to Mass, or worn close to the heart, our Catholic Embroidery designs are meant to bring the beauty of the Church to eyes and hearts everywhere. We hope they will give the world, as they give to us, even the smallest foretaste of what is to Come:

"That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Our Wicklow Cross Design was inspired by Irish art and history.

***It is not uncommon to be questioned as to the sharing of these designs. Since each has been created exclusively by our company and copyrighted, duplication is not allowed in any form, without express permission. This includes the sale of the design files themselves. Seamstresses interested in having any of our desings embroidered on their project are more than welcome to contact us. Such applications on vestments, altar frontal, quilts, and more are our expertise! 

© Precision Embroidery 2007-2012

Cantate Domino

This custom embroidered bookmark encourages a chorister's organization while inspiring the devotion within the music...

Psalm 95: 1-3 "Cantate Domino canticum novum: cantate Domino omnes terra. Cantate Domino benedicite nomini eius adnuntiate diem de die salutare eius; adnunciate inter gentes gloriam eius in omnibus populus miribia eius."

"Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day."

Listen to Hans Leo Hassler's choral work, here.

Project: Sacred Heart Vesica

The beautiful Sacred Heart design pictured above is the very first design to be created exclusively by Catholic Embroidery. As a family business, it was very important to begin our new endeavor with our family's consecration to the Sacred Heart in full honor. Thus, the Sacred Heart image was committed to stitches, copyrighted, and the Catholic Embroidery gallery began.

Over the years, this design has been stitched as framable artwork combined with commemoration of feasts in a family, as a consecration memento in households across America, and in many other forms.

Thus, it is very fitting that as we near our FIFTH anniversary of the founding of our company in November, it is this Sacred Heart that takes form once again under the eyes of our needles. We were asked by a priest in Texas to make this design available in the form of a vesica applique. (Vesica is a term used to refer to an embroidery motif application to a given vestment.) This applique was created in a manner that would allow a local seamstress to apply the design directly to the fabric in a matter of minutes. Gold metallic thread was used to match the vestment's existing orphrey and the results were absolutely stunning.

Tomorrow, on the First Friday in October, our Sacred Heart design will mount the steps of the altar, embedded boldly over the heart of one of God's own ministers.

Introibo ad altare Dei - I will go to the altar of God