In the studio, we’ve been gearing up for a very big project. It involves design, lots of goldwork embroidery (and other embroidery)… and did I mention it is Big?

We’ll be making altar covers for a new church here in Kansas. The altar covers – also known as vesperale or “vesperal cloth” – are essentially dust covers that go on top of an altar in a church any time the altar is not in use, in order to protect the linens underneath it and to keep them free of dust.

The vesperale is sometimes plain, but it can also be embellished, and, in many churches, it is typical to see lettering of some sort across the front fall (the front of the cloth falling over the edge of the mensa or “table” top of the altar). The typical lettering is usually “Holy, Holy, Holy” or “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus” or something similar.

For your weekend pleasure, I’d like to send you down a little rabbit hole.

And what’s better than a rabbit hole that has to do with hand embroidery, hm?

Recently, I was the happy recipient of a box of antique pattern transfers. The owner didn’t want them to be thrown away, and she thought I might be able to add them to my collection of old patterns and whatnot.

I love going through this kind of stuff! Early this week, we had the opportunity to sort and categorize the patterns, and I took a few photos along the way – mostly of the patterns that amused me!

You know the saying “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should“? I think that can apply to design. Take a look at these old pattern transfers! I have theories about them, and we’ll talk about those down the road when I share some other photos of already-transferred designs with you. But for today, to lead into the three-day weekend, here are some photos for your consideration.

Today, I want to introduce you to Elisabetta Sforza’s newest embroidery book, Di Rosa in Rose – From Rose to Rose, a collaboration between two artists: Patrizia Silingardi who paints with watercolor, and Elisabetta Sforza who paints with thread.

From Rose to Rose features a collection of delicate rose and floral sprays that originated as watercolors and were then ingeniously interpreted into stitches by Elisabetta. The result is embroidery that is exquisite, ephemeral, airy, and just really beautiful.

Elisabetta combines traditional and basic embroidery stitches to create these light sprays of flowers that are slightly dimensional and quite realistic.

Let’s take a look at the book!

Good morning, and Happy Monday!

I spent most of the weekend working on all kinds of Needle ‘n Thread Things, good and bad. It always fees great to tie up loose ends!

This morning, we’re having a sale on a few things in the shop! I rarely run sales on tangible goods, but it’s time to make a little room.

We’ll also chat about hoops and books coming in and embroidery kits and other bits and sundries.