Whitework Embroidery for Church Linens

Whitework embroidery – there is something about the simplicity, and seeing one color used for an embroidery design on altar linens. There is an elegance that is difficult to describe; a simple form of beauty that is not dependent upon a painter’s palette of colors. The finished Ecclesiastical Embroideries worked all in white look so simple – deceptively simple. Yet, are they really that simple when one takes a closer look?

This antique Fair Linen, while stained, and scorched, with holes from a too hot iron on one end, features a lovely hand embroidered IHC motif in the center of the the Altar Linen, surrounded by four smaller cross designs for the corners. Worked completely in white threads, the Ecclesiastical Embroidery is still lovely amid the linen stains of age.  The central hand embroidery design is relatively small, considering the Fair Linen is wide and long.  And although it might not be a large embroidery design, it is well executed, with lovely, even stitches.

Whitework embroidery for Church Linens is a type of embroidery that I have been wishing to explore in more depth for quite some time. I never dreamed of being able to travel to take a course, but sometimes wishes can come true. The time is almost here. I am off at the end of next week to take a series of classes which focus specifically on mastering the stitches used for whitework embroidery on altar linens. I will be sure to have my camera with, and if possible try to post my embroidery course progress, (depending on internet connections).

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.