Church Work
I design new church textiles and I can repair and restore existing fabrics. Please scroll down for examples of my work.
Nearly all work is completed by hand and depending on the size, this work can take several months.
Remounting and Re-lining
Sometimes a new backing fabric is needed. I can provide samples of fabrics and advice to help you work out your requirements. I can also provide a detailed quote or work schedule and I am familiar with Faculty applications.
Repairs
Vestments and other church fabrics may just need some repairs to help prolong their active life. These are assessed on an individual basis. Repairs and remounting does take time, so please be aware of this.
Here are some examples of recent church work where stoles and altar frontals have been repaired, or remounted on to new fabrics. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Design and manufacture of new frontals and church textiles.
If you are looking to commission a new altar frontal, stoles or other church textiles then please get in touch. I have experience of working with commissioing groups and individuals.
This is a recent commission for a green stole. Stoles are so personal to the wearer that it is important to take time to get the design and fabric choices right.
Case Study:
The old white frontal
The picture to the right shows the frontal in its original state. This was taken a few years before the project started. By the time work commenced there were large holes and shreded areas in the silk. Prior to the project commencing I submitted a detailed report to the PCC about the work which was a valuable part of the Faculty application. We worked with the PCC and involved the congregation to select fabrics and canvas opinions about the project.
The Finished frontal
The Church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was built in 1893 to replace the Eighteenth Century Church, but records show that there has been a religious building on this site since 1043. The rebuilding programme was undertaken by the then Squire, Mr Philip J.D. Wykham, who provided much of the £3000 building costs. The new church was built of Oxfordshire stone, in the Gothic style to the highest Victorian standards, and has stained glass windows by Kempe.
This frontal design is attributed to Georgiana Wykham, the Squires wife. The frontal is a combination of goldwork and silk shading. The backing fabric was in need of repair and starting to shred. That summer I spent time starting to repair and remount this frontal. The work would not be possible without the support of the village community who have been involved at each step of the project. We offered the opportunity for visitors to put a stitch into the frontal. Over the course of five weekends we received 292 visitors, 134 of these put a stitch in and we raised over £600 for the church through the sale of refreshments!