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!

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New Design: Crown of Wicklow

Inspired by the magnificence and closeness of earth to heaven in Glendalough, Ireland, this design is named appropriately, "Crown of Wicklow". The remains of St. Kevin's monastic settlement are nestled as churches, dwellings, and tombs within the breathtakingly beautiful Wicklow Mountains. We created this design in the hopes of conveying the triumph crown of heaven through the sufferings and trials of the Cross, as lived by the hundreds monks who followed St. Kevin into the wilderness. The yellow and blue jewels in this design stand for the colors of Wicklow, as flown in the flags of our own century, today.

This design can be found in our Online Gallery and would be perfect in application on totes, missal/book covers, afghans, and more. 

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©Copyright, 2012. All embroidery designs, graphics, and images are the sole property of Precision Embroidery, LLC and may not be duplicated, shared, or reproduced in any manner without written permission.

Our Threaded Family Tree - Part II

Greetings from Ireland! While here on the Emerald Isle, I thought it only appropriate for the next installment of "Our Threaded Family Tree" - the Ireland edition!

The art of embroidery and needlework lies deep within our family's history. Despite the fact that our family heritage includes such striking differences in American settlers - such as Irish Immigrants, Italian printers and butchers, German aristocrats, and rebel soldiers in the Civil War - one thing seems to remain a general interest among many: embroidery and needlework.  Join us as we travel around the country, tracing a deep-rooted interest in sewing amidst a world of Indians, Immigrants, and convents, unknowingly paving the way for what is now known as, "Catholic Embroidery". 

Part II - From Emerald Isle to Ellis Isle

Bridget (Beatrice) Stenson Ludwig - Born in Tubercurry, Co. Sligo Ireland in 1891

In 1910, a young pious Catholic Irishwoman left the growing hardships in a struggling country to find a better life in the the land of opportunity. Seeking shelter in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, Beatrice Stenson, known for "never walking, but running", greeted Ellis Island with all the energy of her 19 years. Beatrice began employment as a domestic, often assigned to the lowest and meanest of jobs in a wealthy household. After three years of life in America, "Bea" met and married Frederick Ludwig, a German immigrant, and raised a family of 6 children together with him in a small apartment in the Bronx. When Frederick passed away in 1935, Beatrice was forced to take on odd jobs and begin a laundry service from her home, while also allowing her oldest daughters to work and supplement their small income.

To keep the family fed and clothed throughout life in the small apartment, Beatrice washed laundry and offered her services as a seamstress. Her handiwork with needle and thread was known far and wide for it's excellence. Many wonders were worked with her needle, favorites of which still live on in the memory of her granddaughters, who treasured handmade dresses - labors of love from Grandmother "Bea".

Thank you, great-grandmother Beatrice, for the gift of your hands and the example of a truly Valiant Woman - in more ways than one.

"Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her... She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands... she hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle... Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day... Her children rose up and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her."

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Catholic Crests: Game & Giveaway

Can you match these three ecclesiastics of the Church with their embroidered Coat of Arms?

• Cardinal Giuseppe Betori - Archbishop of Florence, Italy
• Bishop Edward Rice - Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis
• Carinal Raymond Leo Burke - Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

Leave your guesses in the combox before June 9. Correct guesses will be entered to win a Copper Fleur de Lis Key Fob. 

WINER UPDATE:

CONGRATULATIONS to Tom G. - chosen randomly from correct guesses to Ecclesiastic Crests below. Your fleur-de lis key fob prize will be sent to you in the mail, Tom! From top to bottom: Bishop Rice, Cardinal Betori, and Cardinal Burke. Thanks to all for participating!

Now, let the games begin!

Crest #1 

Crest #2

Crest #3

For God and King! - New Vendée Cross Design

The Vendée Cross is perhaps, one of the most frequently forgotten symbols in the historical study of our Catholic Faith and world history. In fact, the secularization of society has warranted that the very men who fought under this brilliant image of heavenly victory and protection should be forgotten in an attempt to shroud the persecution of the Church & Catholic Royalists in French Revolution studies. But not so in Catholic circles!

Original Vendee Cross patch, often worn by Vendean soldiers to show for Whom they fought:
"For God and King!"

Our new embroidery design is made to replicate the original Vendée Cross designs that were stitched and penned by faithful French Catholics over 200 years ago, with a classic new take on an old look. The gold halo, which is often incorporated as a glow in Vendée Cross drawings is echoed in the use of bright gold metallic thread. And of course, an exact copy of the originally penned "Dieu le Roi" only furthers in solid stitches the indelibility of this phrase for time and eternity, "For God and King". 

Our New Signature Vendee Cross Design

From The War in the Vendée by George J. Hill:

On entering the battle, most of the peasants made the sign of the cross. They used to march with their rosary beads in their hands, and recite them as they went along. In the evenings, on halting for the night, the whole camp often joined in the same devotion. Before any great engagement, they heard Mass; and on capturing any town or village, they repaired to the churches. They were frequently known to kneel down on the field of battle itself, beneath a hot fire and in the very moment of success, on passing a wayside cross. Throughout the long and disastrous war with which their country was ravaged, the restoration of the Catholic faith was their one object; nor did they make peace till it had been attained. The very existence, therefore, of the Vendean army was a standing protest against the infidel spirit of the revolution.

Sprechen sie deutsch?

Did you know that Catholic Embroidery's products are offered with International Customization?

One of the greatest things about our customization services is the ability to accommodate a variety of styles, names, dates, quotes, devotions, and even languages. Our signature Catholic aprons are not only meant for the English language, but extend to a variety of languages, thus spreading Catholic symbolism and devotion around the globe. Here is an example of such an order for aprons, which now grace the kitchens and tables of Catholic families across Germany.

Our Do Small Things Apron in German ready to ship, along with Sacred Heart aprons, to families across Europe.

To our International readers: Welcome! Is there an interest for Catholic Embroidery in your country?

God bless,

Mary

Check out our full line of signature Catholic aprons at: www.catholicembroidery.com

Our Threaded Family Tree - Part I

The art of embroidery and needlework lies deep within our family's history. Despite the fact that our family heritage includes such striking differences in American settlers - such as Irish Immigrants, Italian printers and butchers, German aristocrats, and rebel soldiers in the Civil War - one thing seems to remain a general interest among many: embroidery and needlework.  Join us as we travel around the country, tracing a deep-rooted interest in sewing amidst a world of Indians, Immigrants, and convents, unknowingly paving the way for what is now known as, "Catholic Embroidery". 


Part I - From Convent to Continent
John and Carmelina Lania


As a young woman, Carmelina lived at a convent in Italy where she learned how to sew and embroider. In the early 1920's, the then married Carmelina and her husband John, immigrated to America with their 6 year old son, Vincent (Marks' uncle). John and Carmelina spent their lives in New Jersey raising a family and making a living in the garment making business. In their trade, Mr. and Mrs. Lania would "finish" garments by frogging them, finishing gowns, silks, etc. Mrs. Lania was known for making button covers by hand and embroidering pillows and a variety of other garments. 


Though the garment business of this early American entrepreneurial couple has long since been closed, the Lania Legacy still lives on today in the Serafino home. Mark's stories recall the happy years of his early childhood, where the Lania family treated him as a grandson and showered him with the best of Italian hospitality.

Mr. Lania with Mark as a child - Photograph Circa: 1960

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