The Finished Ordination Stole for a Deacon

Finished the stole today once I got my printer issues solved....I like to print a custom label on fabric for the lining, and yay!  managed to troubleshoot it satisfactorily.  Here are the images of the finished stole which is now ready to ship...

Front

Side, showing the three pieces of cording holding the two pieces together.

Back

Upper front, detail.

Lower pieces

Cross stitched "United Methodist" symbol--this is a pocket in the lining.

I won't show the label because it identifies the new deacon by name and location;  this is a surprise for her ordination in June.

The Red Stole--lining and piping

The piecing is over--now onto the more fussy finishing work of the lining, piping, and so on.

In the box of red ties were also several "fat quarters" (a quilters' term for a square of fabric measuring about 22" x 18").  I like to use cotton for the lining because it makes the stole "sticky" and less prone to sliding around when worn, so I cut several strips off each fabric and stitched them together randomly.  This will make for an interesting lining.  

The future wearer's mother did this piece of cross stitch.   Initially the plan was for me to incorporate it into the piecing somewhere on the stole, however when she washed it, the red thread bled into the white background leaving a pink haze.  I have decided to create a pocket from this piece and attach it to the lining of the stole--women's clothing always lacks pockets, so why not give her one on her stole?  Perfect for a key, business card, note...

Attaching the piping--this particular tie was a patriotic mash-up of the US flag.

The jumble of piping--one of the ties included cartoon characters.

This is a deacon stole and needs to be attached at the side hip.  I decided on three covered cords, the number three being an important number in the Christian tradition.

Stole Front--piping is attached and waiting for the lining.  You'll see less of the piping once the lining is added.

Stole back.

The Red Stole, continued...

I made great progress yesterday...

The piecing is finished.

Brightly patterned candidates for piping.  These ties were too "busy" to incorporate into the piecing but they'll make fabulous piping.

Preparing for the next step...trimming the pieces using the paper pattern.

Now onto my other weekend activities...

Red Stole Progress

I think I was a bit overwhelmed with the abundance of materials to work with, and my desire (and my commissioner's hope) to include a little bit of each material in the stole.  I cut a strip from each tie or fabric length a week ago, and left them all ready to go...

Strips laid over the ironing board with the samples on the wall behind.

Finally, yesterday was the day to get started. This stole is a deacon's stole which comes across the chest from one shoulder and hangs down at the side.  I started by cutting a piece of foundation fabric (unbleached cotton) wide enough for the two pieces that will hang at the side.

The piecing has begun.

Detail of the piecing at the sewing machine.

Adding foundation fabric for the two pieces that will go over the shoulder.

Extending the piecing into the shoulder pieces.

One of the wonderful fabrics received in the box--both sides are useful. 

Piecing is still in progress, but the foundation has been cut apart--it was getting too cumbersome as one piece.

So, a good day's work!  Now to finish the piecing...

Another Ordination Stole is Taking Shape...

A big box of red materials (mainly ties) arrived mid-March.

Along with the ties is a beautiful piece of cross stitch to be incorporated.

These were collected by the friends and family supporting the ordination of a young woman in June.  Because the stole is a surprise, I am not going to use either her name, denomination or location.  Her mother is pretty confident that her daughter is so busy with family and studies that she is unlikely to stumble across my blog, thus I have been given permission to post the progress.

Sorted materials. 

The interfacing has been stripped out (by Lloyd) and the ties have been washed.

The next step is to press each tie until dry.

Design #1.
Red for Pentecost represents dynamic spirituality and the passion of being on fire with the Spirit. 

Design #2

Because there are so many ties, scarves and other fabrics, I want to come up with a design to incorporate a little bit of each one.  I ran into some technical construction issues with Design #1.  Design #2 is easier to stitch plus I feel the lines are more dynamic.  This is probably the direction I will take with this stole.  What do you think?

Joy's Stole is Finished

Another wonderful project comes to an end.  This stole has been particularly satisfying because of the good materials.  I didn't have to improvise or delve into my stash.  Herewith the finished stole--ready to ship to Oregon....

The completed stole

Back view

Lower detail

Upper detail

Lining--I added some pockets made from the tips of three of the ties.

This was the tip from a particularly special tie.

My custom label at the centre back.

May Joy have as much pleasure wearing this stole as I had creating it!

Joy's Stole, continued

Some good progress:

The piecing is finished, and the back seam is sewn.  The finished stole will be about an inch narrower when the piping and lining are added. 

Back view

Piping materials.   I like to use striped or dotted ties.

A jumble of finished piping, ready to apply.  This is the best use for highly patterned ties.  I don't really like to use them in the body of the stole because the patterns can be distracting.

Beginning a New Stole for Joy's Ordination

I received an inquiry several months ago about creating an ordination (i.e. red) stole for Joy who will be ordained in August 2013.  A beautiful box of materials arrived in the mail a few weeks ago.  Included in the lot was a piece of lime green silk with a special request to include some of it in the stole.  These materials were donated by Joy's friends and family, and the green silk is a reminder of her grandmother.  Also note in the first image a striking tie of skulls.  The label indicates that this tie was designed for the Richard Leakey museum in Kenya, and the skulls shown are from our Home sapien ancestors.  My husband, who is my "tie-taker-aparter" recognized the skulls as being Homo erectus, Home habilis, and Australopithecus.  Apparently this tie belonged to Joy's father and is one of her favourite ties as well as being a family classic.

This gorgeous collection of red ties and a couple of scarves arrived a few weeks ago from Oregon.

This tie has a striking flower motif.

I decided to start with the flower motif--here I was auditioning the materials that I might piece around it.

The flower motif framed with some of the lime green silk and the skull tie.

Starting the layout of the stole.

The piecing progress so far.

Detail--this will be at one lower edge.

Photos from Carolyn's ordination

I received the following e-mail from Carolyn yesterday. I made her stole last spring.

Janet- After a longer process than anticipated, I was ordained and got to wear the stole you created. Here are some pictures of me "in action" in it. So many people were amazed with your artistry and it truly proclaims my theology. Thanks again!

Blessings upon your minstry to those who minister.

Pastor Carolyn

Bob's Ordination Day

What a happy and delighted guy!


The Abrams family on Bob's ordination day, September 17, 2011.

Back View

Suits him, don't you think?

I love getting pictures of my stoles being worn. They look so much better than on my dressmaker dummy!